Venus Weeping over the Slain Adonis 1673 - 1736

Victor Honoré Janssens painted "Venus Weeping over the Slain Adonis" in the late 17th or early 18th century, using oil on canvas. Janssens, a Flemish painter, situated himself within the artistic dialogues of his era, moving between the Baroque and early Rococo styles. This piece captures a poignant moment from classical mythology, the death of Adonis, Venus’s mortal lover. Adonis, a figure of youthful beauty, is depicted lifeless, while Venus mourns above him, her grief seemingly echoing through the cherubic figure at her side. In the visual arts, depictions of Venus often served to explore ideals of beauty, desire, and the female form, yet here she is rendered vulnerable. The image speaks to themes of love, loss, and mortality, which are universally understood. Janssens invites us to reflect on the transient nature of beauty and the depth of human emotion, particularly grief, as it transcends even immortal beings.