Venus and Cupid c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Pietro Bonato's "Venus and Cupid." It’s quite striking, with Venus reclining and Cupid reaching for her. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: This print offers an interesting lens through which to view the construction of femininity and desire in the late 18th/early 19th century. Venus is presented as an object of beauty, but who is this image really for? Editor: What do you mean? Curator: The male gaze is heavily implied here, but how does that affect our understanding of Venus as a figure of power and agency, or lack thereof? How does this compare to modern depictions of women? Editor: That's a different way of looking at it than I expected. Curator: Considering those questions helps us unpack the artwork's role in perpetuating certain social norms around beauty. Editor: I will definitely consider the male gaze in my future art explorations.