The despair of Venus over the dead body of Adonis (1803 – 1811) — Benjamin West
The despair of Venus over the dead body of Adonis (1803 – 1811) is an artwork by Benjamin West. Here is the subject context recorded in our catalogue, followed by a guide to choosing a print for your home.
The artwork at a glance
- Title
- The despair of Venus over the dead body of Adonis (1803 – 1811)
- Artist
- Benjamin West (American, 1738-1820)
- Subject collection
- Love & goddesses
The mythology behind the named subject
Aphrodite, called Venus by the Romans, is the goddess of love and beauty. One ancient tradition describes her rising from sea foam. Other stories connect her with Adonis, Ares, and the judgment of Paris.
This is mythology context for the subject named in the title. The identification of every figure, symbol, or episode in this particular artwork has not been verified.
Living with The despair of Venus over the dead body of Adonis (1803 – 1811)
The balanced proportions can sit comfortably on a smaller wall or within a considered grouping. Start with the space around the artwork, then choose a print size that leaves the composition easy to see.
On the artwork page, compare three room settings, then choose an unframed poster, wooden framed poster, rolled canvas, or stretched canvas. Sizes are listed in centimetres and inches. The final crop depends on your chosen proportions, so check the preview before ordering.
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