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Engraving after Luca Penni
Latin inscription in lower margin:
Mortiferis spinis toto sum corpore loesa./ Purpurea estq. meo sanguine facta rosa./ Dulcis am or causa est: sed nil mea vulnera curo./ Eripiam crudis dum puerum manibus
(I have been wounded in my whole body by deadly thorns, and the rose has been made purple with my blood. Sweet love is the cause; but I care not for my wounds; I would tear at the boy with merciless hands)
According to ancient Roman legend, roses were white until they were stained by the blood of Venus, the goddess of love, sex, and fertility. In some versions of the tale, Venus is wounded by rose thorns while rushing to help her lover, Adonis, who is being attacked by jealous Mars.
