Artwork
Venus and Adonis
Venus and Adonis is a print by Théodorus van Kessel. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Venus and Adonis is a 1650 print depicting a scene from mythology.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows Venus and Adonis seated together under a tree, surrounded by playful children and a dog, set against a dense background of foliage and clouds. The figures' relaxed poses are tempered by subtle tensions, such as Venus's hand on Adonis's chest.
Technique & Style
The artist achieved a strong contrast between light and dark through the use of chiaroscuro, a technique that creates volume and depth by manipulating light and shadow. Deep shadows and smooth shading emphasize the figures against the dark background.
History & Provenance
The composition is adapted from a work by Paolo Veronese, and was rendered in ink on paper by Théodorus van Kessel.
Artist & collection
Artist
Théodorus van Kessel kept a shop in Antwerp where artists and collectors crowded around his engraving plates.
