Portrait of Hadriaan Beverland Drawing a Statue of Venus, Isaac Beckett, after Simon Dubois, 1686
In London, Beverland made a living as an art and book agent. He tracked down interesting antiquities, shells and manuscripts for wealthy collectors. Here he is surrounded by Egyptian monuments and a sensuous statue of Venus, the goddess of love. Naughtily positioned, with a view of Venus’ bare buttocks, Beverland draws the statue. The inscription boasts of his expert knowledge.