Maerten de Vos - “Planetarum Effectus et eorum in signis Zodiaci…”: Sol - Luna - Mercurius - Venus - Mars - Jupiter - Saturnus (1585)
This extremely rare set of celestial engravings depicts the ‘Seven Planets’: Sol (the Sun), Luna (the Moon), Mercurius (Mercury), Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn (the planet Earth was never included in the set, and the sun and the Moon are not technically planets, while Neptune and Pluto had not yet been discovered when the prints were made). One of the great achievements of the Flemish Old Masters was their ability to bring new life and beauty to ancient Classical subjects. In composing these evocative images, Maertin de Vos showed each planet to be personified by its own Classical god, amidst a vibrant pageant of allegory, accompanied by the appropriate Zodiacal signs.
The seven engravings are described in the order in which they appear in the images above:
- Sol is shown to be riding on a chariot drawn by four horses in the clouds, while various ceremonies take place below, including the crowning of a king, the anointing of a pope, triumphal procession through arch. The zodiac sign of Leo appears in an oval in the top center.
- Luna, with is represented by the Goddess Diana, carries a bow and quiver of arrows and rides in a chariot drawn by two nymphs on clouds in the sky, above an extensive marine landscape with ships and fishing vessels below. The zodiac sign of Cancer is located within an oval in the top center.
- Mercury, represented by the God of Travel, is seen holding a caduceus and riding in a chariot drawn by two birds, while below lies a broad landscape with a harbor featuring bountiful goods. The zodiac signs of Gemini and Virgo are located in ovals in the top corners.
- Venus, represented by the Goddess of Love, is seen riding in a chariot drawn by two Peacocks, while below lies a grand landscape populated by prosperous towns. The zodiac signs of Libra and Taurus are located within ovals in the top corners.
- Mars, represented by the God of War, is shown wearing armor and riding in a chariot drawn by two horses upon a road of clouds, while below is an extensive landscape featuring grand edifices, highwaymen and soldiers. The zodiac signs of Capricorn and Scorpio are located within ovals in the top corners.
- Jupiter is shown holding thunderbolts and riding in a chariot drawn by two eagles upon clouds, while below lies a broad extensive landscape with a myriad of buildings and small rocky islands. The zodiac signs of Sagittarius and Pisces are placed in ovals in the top corners.
- Saturn is shown holding a scythe and sitting in a chariot drawn by two dragons, while below is a landscape inhabited with various figures engaged in industry, including mining. The zodiac signs of Aries and Aquarius appear within ovals in the top corners.
The series is based on the original artworks of the painter and draftsman Maerten de Vos (1532-1603), one of the leading figures of Flemish Renaissance art.