Ceres, Bacchus and Venus ('Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus')

This group of gods on the clouds illustrates a frequently depicted sentence by Terence: Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus - Without Ceres (bread) and Bacchus (wine) Venus freezes. Venus acts as the unifying figure in the group, standing behind both Bacchus and Ceres with her hand placed on the latter’s shoulder while she tenderly gazes at the former. Her gentleness of gaze is mirrored by Bacchus who looks lovingly at Ceres, who also has a rapt look on her face.

The painting is signed and dated lower right: J: de Miel / peint. / 1645.