Artwork
Venus Anadyomene
Venus Anadyomene is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Théodore Chassériau. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created circa 1842, this lithographic print on gray‑tinted chine collé portrays the classical motif of Venus emerging from the sea.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1842, this lithographic print on gray‑tinted chine collé portrays the classical motif of Venus emerging from the sea. The work is attributed to Théodore Chassériau, a French artist of Dominican origin whose career spanned the Neoclassical and Romantic periods. The image presents a solitary female figure on a rocky shoreline, her hair lifted aloft as waves crash behind her.
Subject & Meaning
The composition draws on the ancient myth of Venus Anadyomene, the goddess of love rising fully formed from the ocean’s foam. By isolating the figure against a turbulent seascape, Chassériau emphasizes both the sensuality of the nude and the elemental power of nature, echoing the Renaissance tradition of celebrating divine beauty through mythological narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the image was printed from a stone surface onto a sheet of paper adhered to a gray‑tinted backing (chine collé).
Executed as a lithograph, the image was printed from a stone surface onto a sheet of paper adhered to a gray‑tinted backing (chine collé). Chassériau employs smooth, flowing lines and subtle gradations of tone to render flesh and water with a softened quality. The handling reflects his early adherence to the precise draftsmanship of Ingres, while the emotive atmosphere hints at the later Romantic influence of Delacroix.
History & Provenance
The print emerged during a transitional phase in Chassériau’s career, when he was moving from the strict classicism of his teacher to a more expressive Romantic mode. Though primarily known for portraits, historical scenes, and Orientalist subjects, this work demonstrates his engagement with classical iconography. It remains documented in several 19th‑century print collections, though its exact ownership trail after publication is not fully recorded.
Artist & collection
Artist
Théodore Chassériau (French pronunciation: ; Spanish: Teodoro Chasseriau; September 20, 1819 – October 8, 1856) was a Dominican-born French Romantic painter noted for his portraits, historical and religious paintings,…
