Artwork
Venus and Cupid with a Bow
Venus and Cupid with a Bow is an ink print by the Baroque artist John Baptist Jackson. It dates from 1731 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Venus and Cupid with a Bow is a chiaroscuro woodcut created by John Baptist Jackson in 1731. It is a print made from four woodblocks on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts Venus, the Roman goddess of love, and her son Cupid. Cupid is shown aiming a bow at Venus, who holds him. The scene is characterized by a contrast between the softly lit figures and a dark background.
Technique & Style
The woodcut achieves its tonal effects through the use of four colors: blue-gray, light brown, brown, and black. Jackson's technique involved subtle overprinting and heavy embossing, creating a range of colors and textures that give the print a painterly quality.
History & Provenance
John Baptist Jackson was a British printmaker active in Paris and Venice during the 18th century. He was known for his innovative chiaroscuro woodcuts, often reproducing oil paintings.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Baptist Jackson (1701–1780) was a British artist, a woodcut printmaker of the eighteenth century.
![The Marriage at Cana [left plate], by John Baptist Jackson](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-baptist-jackson--the-marriage-at-cana-left-plate--22bae83d46cc40b5-w320.webp)
