Venus desolate by the death of Adonis 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this etching, "Venus desolate by the death of Adonis," in the 18th century, a period defined by the Enlightenment's emphasis on reason and order, yet still captivated by classical mythology. Here, Piranesi depicts Venus grieving over the lifeless body of Adonis. There’s an intense contrast between the erotic and the melancholic. The figures of Venus and Adonis embody classical ideals of beauty, yet their story speaks to the transient nature of life and beauty, a theme resonating deeply in the art of that time. Piranesi masterfully uses light and shadow to heighten the emotional impact. The grief-stricken expressions of the surrounding figures add to the sense of loss and despair. This artwork can be seen as a reflection on the human condition; it touches upon themes of love, death, and the inevitable passage of time. While rooted in classical tradition, Piranesi infuses it with an emotional depth that speaks to our own experiences of love and loss, reflecting our shared mortality.