The Awakening of Venus 1769

Curator: Immediately striking, isn’t it? This is "The Awakening of Venus" by Louis Marin Bonnet. Editor: Yes, the colors are muted, but it’s quite sensual. The way she reclines, almost languidly, has a certain charm. Curator: Absolutely. Bonnet’s technique of using crayon manner engraving to mimic chalk or pastel drawings was innovative. It allowed for greater tonal range and textural subtlety in printmaking. Editor: It feels so intimate, a boudoir scene. But the industrialization of printmaking also democratized images like these, making them available beyond the aristocratic circles. Curator: Exactly. It's a fascinating interplay between high art and the emerging world of mass production. Editor: Thinking about the life of this print, it’s had a long journey to end up here in Harvard’s collection. Curator: Indeed. A transformation of both form and meaning over time.