Venus and Adonis

Former TitleAtalanta and Meleager with the Calydonian Boar

Artist Giorgio Ghisi (Italian, 1520 - 1582)

Artist After Teodoro Ghisi (Italian, 1536 - 1601)

Dateca. 1570

MediumEngraving

DimensionsPlate: 12 5/8 × 8 7/8 inches (32.07 × 22.54 cm)

Credit LinePurchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust

Object number33-1003

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The complicated back view of Venus embracing her lover Adonis is a deliberate display of virtuosity on the part of the artist, and her over developed body is inspired by the art of Michelangelo (1475-1564), whose male and female nudes are equally muscular. The cupids refer to Venus' love and the dogs to Adonis, who was killed by a boar while hunting.

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