Plate 96: Venus and Adonis Embracing (Perditè a Venere adamatur Adonis), from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' 1606

Antonio Tempesta etched this depiction of Venus and Adonis, capturing a tender embrace rooted in classical mythology. Consider how the embrace serves as a powerful motif—a universal language of love and solace. In ancient depictions, embracing figures symbolized unity and protection. Think of funerary art from the Roman era, where embracing figures expressed longing and eternal connection, or the Christian iconography of the Virgin Mary holding the dead Christ. Here, Venus embraces Adonis, but their embrace also foreshadows loss. Note the presence of the dogs, traditionally symbols of loyalty and hunting, yet here they add an element of foreboding. In this context, the embrace takes on a poignant, desperate quality, charged with the knowledge of impending tragedy. This complex interplay of love, protection, and inevitable loss engages viewers on a subconscious level, resonating deeply with our own experiences of fleeting moments of connection amidst life's uncertainties. The embrace motif, therefore, is not linear; it resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings with each telling.