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Saturn is portrayed as an elderly man holding a child up to his mouth. In his other hand is a sickle. At his feet are ears of corn, a scythe, an hour glass and the head of Janus. Various fruits, pulses, roots and vegetables hang from the garlands alongside the relief.

Additional information:
Saturn is the god of agriculture and of time. The sickle, scythe, grain, vegetables and fruit all represent agriculture, while the hour glass symbolises time. The head of Janus, with its young and old faces, symbolises the past and future, and therefore time. The child that the elderly Saturn is about to devour is an allusion to the story that Saturn consumed all his children following a prophecy that he would be destroyed by his own son. Only Jupiter escaped being eaten and he eventually slew his father.

Details

  • Title: Saturn
  • Creator: Artus Quellinus
  • Creator Lifespan: 1609 - 1668
  • Creator Nationality: Flemish
  • Creator Gender: Male
  • Creator Death Place: Antwerp
  • Creator Birth Place: Antwerp
  • Date Created: 1650/1654
  • Display: Royal Palace Amsterdam
  • Type: Relief
  • Rights: © Stichting Koninklijk Paleis Amsterdam. Photo: Erik & Petra Hesmerg.
  • Medium: Marble

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