Artwork
The Birth of Venus
The Birth of Venus is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Marcantonio Raimondi. It dates from 1506 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Birth of Venus is an engraving on laid paper created by Marcantonio Raimondi in 1506. It is a representative work of reproductive printmaking, a technique Raimondi pioneered.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts the classical mythological scene of Venus emerging from the sea, standing on a shell and partially covering herself with a cloth. A tree with a swirling vine and a sailing ship are visible in the background.
Technique & Style
Raimondi employed the engraving technique, carving a design into metal and transferring it to paper. The resulting print features precise, dark lines and a black-and-white aesthetic, characteristic of his systematic approach.
History & Provenance
Raimondi was active in Italy during the late 15th and early 16th centuries, collaborating with prominent artists like Raphael and disseminating their High Renaissance style through his engravings.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Marcantonio Raimondi, often called simply Marcantonio (c. 1470/82 – c. 1534), was an Italian engraver, known for being the first important printmaker whose body of work consists largely of prints copying paintings. He…
