Bust of Florae surrounded by strapwork, from the series 'Deorum dearumque,' a set of images of deities after coins in the collection of Abraham Ortelius

Art Historical Context

This delicate etching, titled *Bust of Florae by strapwork*, captures Roman goddess of flowers in profile, framed by intricate Renaissancework—a popular ornamental motif resembling intertwined leather straps. Part of the 1573 series *Deorumumque* ("Of Gods and Goddesses"), it faithfully reproduces images from ancient coins in the collection of Abraham Orius, the renowned Flemish cartographer and antiquarian *Theatrum Orbis Terrarum* (1570) was the first modern atlas. Produced in the Netherlands during a Renaissance revival of classical antiquity, the print reflects the era's fascination with rediscovering Greco-Roman heritage through numismatics. Engraver Philips Galle, a master printer from Antwerp, likely executed the etching after designs by Hans Vredeman de Vries, a versatile artist known for his architectural fantasies and Mannerist ornamentation. At just under 5 by 3.5 inches on the plate, this intimate work exemplifies the precision of 16th-century etching, a technique that allowed fine lines and tonal depth ideal for detailed reproductions. The strapwork border not only enhances the classical bust but also showcases Netherlandish ingenuity in decorative prints, blending antiquity with contemporary style. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011), this piece offers a window into how Renaissance scholars like Ortelius bridged ancient myths and early modern collecting, making divine imagery accessible to Europe's elite bibliophiles and art lovers.