Venus en Amor en Athena 1510 - 1520

This print, titled "Venus en Amor en Athena" is of unknown authorship. Contours are achieved through the modulation of hatched marks, creating soft tonalities. In the composition, three female figures are set against a ground marked with small tufts of grass. Venus is approached by Cupid who seems to be tugging on her garment. The composition's meaning arises less from the narrative moment and more from the structure of the figures. The robust modelling of their musculature alludes to the influence of the male nude on representations of the female figure. The overall design of the work, from the rhythm of line to the figural arrangement, can be viewed through the lens of structuralism. The artist offers a system of representation that adheres to certain formal rules and conventions. It's not just a depiction, but an interplay of artistic signs whose relationship forms the essence of the work.