Ovaal medaillon met Venus en de dode Adonis c. 1610 - 1615

Antoine Jacquard created this oval medallion depicting Venus and the dead Adonis sometime between 1620 and 1650. It is currently located in the Rijksmuseum. During this period, artists frequently drew inspiration from classical mythology to explore themes of love, beauty, and tragedy. Here we see Venus, the goddess of love, grieving over the lifeless body of Adonis. The print invites us to reflect on the nature of loss and the transient nature of beauty. Jacquard uses the tragic story of Venus and Adonis to explore the emotional depths of love and mourning. Consider how the composition and use of light enhance the emotional impact of the scene, drawing us into the intimate moment of grief. Jacquard's engraving transforms this ancient myth into a deeply personal expression of sorrow.