RICCI, Sebastiano (b. 1659, Belluno, d. 1734, Venezia) Venus and Adonis 1705-06 Oil on canvas, 70 x 40 cm Musée des Beaux-Arts, Orléans The story of Venus and Adonis, which has attracted not only artists but poets, including Shakespeare, tells that Adonis was the offspring of the incestuous union of King Cinyras of Paphos, in Cyprus, with his daughter Myrrha. His beauty was a byword. Venus conceived a helpless passion for him as a result of a chance graze she received from Cupid's arrow (Met. 10:524-559). One day while out hunting Adonis was slain by a wild boar, an accident Venus had always
RICCI, Sebastiano (b. 1659, Belluno, d. 1734, Venezia) Venus and Adonis 1705-06 Oil on canvas, 70 x 40 cm Musée des Beaux-Arts, Orléans The story of Venus and Adonis, which has attracted not only artists but poets, including Shakespeare, tells that Adonis was the offspring of the incestuous union of King Cinyras of Paphos, in Cyprus, with his daughter Myrrha. His beauty was a byword. Venus conceived a helpless passion for him as a result of a chance graze she received from Cupid's arrow (Met. 10:524-559). One day while out hunting Adonis was slain by a wild boar, an accident Venus had always dreaded (Met. 10:708-739). Hearing his dying groans as she flew overhead in her chariot, she came down to aid him but was too late. In the place where the earth was stained with Adonis' blood, anemones sprouted. Artists usually depict two scenes, the depart and the death of Adonis. This painting represents the first scene. Adonis, spear in hand and with hunting dogs straining at the leash, is impatient to be off, while Venus imploringly tries to hold him back. But she pleads in vain. --- Keywords: -------------- Author: RICCI, Sebastiano Title: Venus and Adonis Time-line: 1701-1750 School: Italian Form: painting Type: mythological
Size: 2800px × 5536px
Photo credit: © Carlo Bollo / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: artwork, paint, painter, paintings, ricci, sebastiano
