The Lovers
c. 1490
Medium
engraving
Dimensions
image: 16.7 × 10.9 cm · sheet: 16.9 × 11.3 cm
Classification
Department
Prints
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
2010.262
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
About this artwork
In this image, a man and woman sit facing one another; the woman casts her eyes down shyly as the man makes a tender touch, an invitation to love. This artist pared down a garden of love to an arbor with a low fence, a vase of flowers, and a basin of water holding a jug of wine and cup. The love displayed in the garden is chaste, as intended. This is apparent by the wine in the water bath, suggesting cooled desire; the carnations in the vase, symbols of virginity; and the woman’s small dog, a si...
About the Artist
Wenzel von Olmütz (Bohemian) (Bohemian) · –
active Prague, 1340s