Anonymous (early 18th century)
Venus and Adonis,... Lot 703
result :
Not available
Estimate :
Subscribers only
Anonymous (early 18th century)
Venus and Adonis, oil on canvas.
Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, is actually married to Hephaestus/Vulcanus. Her husband has a limp and is considered the ugliest of the gods. Venus regularly cheats on him with numerous affairs, and her ex-lovers include Mars, the god of war. Mars and Venus fathered Cupid/Cupido, who aims a bow and arrow at hearts and ignites passion. Cupid also strikes the heart of his mother Venus - she falls in love with Adonis, an incredibly handsome youth and outstanding hunter. Mars learns of the new liaison and wants to kill Adonis. Venus, in divine foresight, foresees the disaster and wants to stop her lover from hunting. This is exactly the scene depicted in the painting. Venus reaches for Adonis and pulls him back. He slips away, following his hunting dog, which is already heading for the forest. Adonis is already carrying the hunting spear in his left hand. Cupid covers his eyes, he does not want to see the misfortune he has conjured up. Adonis is later actually killed during the hunt - by a boar directed by Mars.
Canvas doubled twice. Modern canvas as support fabric. Circular section continued on second canvas. Not signed. Circa 1700. canvas 52 x 70 cm. Frame 66 x 82 cm.
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