Artwork
Venus and Adonis
Venus and Adonis is an ink print by the Baroque artist Simone Cantarini. It dates from 1644 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Simone Cantarini's etching 'Venus and Adonis' dates to around 1644. It is a print depicting a scene from mythology, created using a technique that allows for expressive lines and shading.
Subject & Meaning
The etching shows Venus and Adonis in a wooded setting, drawn from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'. Venus, naked, reaches for Adonis, who is clothed and looks away, holding a staff. The scene captures a moment of tension between the two figures.
Technique & Style
Cantarini employed a printmaking technique that allows ink to accumulate, creating dark, expressive lines. This gives the scene a sense of urgency and vitality. The background is rendered with quick, rough lines, suggesting a natural setting.
History & Provenance
Cantarini, active in the early to mid-17th century, was an Italian painter and etcher known for blending Bolognese classicism with naturalism. He produced a range of works, including history paintings, portraits, and etchings, before his death in 1648.
Artist & collection
Artist
Simone Cantarini or Simone da Pesaro, called il Pesarese (Baptized on 21 August 1612 – 15 October 1648) was an Italian painter and etcher.
