Venus (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #43)

1467

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Mythology Ferrara

Dominant colour

Venus (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #43) is a 1467 by Master of the E-Series Tarocchi, a Renaissance work, depicting Ferrara, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Master of the E-Series Tarocchi
When & what style?: 1467 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This painting shows a nude female figure, Venus, bathing in a small river. She's in profile, holding a sea creature. The figure is personified, which is interesting because it shows how people in the 15th century thought about the planets and gods. Venus is part of a series called Firmaments of the Universe, which includes other planets and celestial spheres. To learn more, check out the work of artist Master of the E-Series Tarocchi.

The story of this work

Overview

This engraving is part of the Tarocchi group marked with the letter “A”, and named Firmaments of the Universe . This series comprises the seven planets from the classical astronomy (Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) and the three celestial spheres that separate them from the Supreme Entity ( Prima Causa ) from which everything was originated. Here, Venus is personified as a nude female figure, in profile, bathing in a small river, and holding a sea shell in her right hand. Doves are flying above her. Venus’s winged son Cupid stands behind her, blindfolded and carrying his bow…

Read the full account in the museum source.