Venus and Cupid on a Pedestal

Of the same type, although not of the same series, as the oval drawings for the prints for Icones Prophetatum Veteris Testamenti, published during Stradanus' life-time by Johann Galle. The series, of at least twenty-seven prints, represents single figures of prophets. One of Isaiah was sold at Christie's, Amsterdam, 11 November 1996, lot 17, illustrated. More sheets are listed by K.G. Boon, The Netherlandish and German Drawings of the XVth and XVIth Centuries of the Frits Lugt Collection, Paris, 1992, under no. 201.
The Venus of the present drawing is evidently inspired by the Callipygian Venus.