Venus Discovering the Death of Adonis 1600 - 1700

This anonymous 17th-century drawing depicts the tragic myth of Venus discovering the death of Adonis. The scene unfolds amidst a wooded landscape, with Venus's grief palpable as she reaches out to the fallen Adonis, his body lying limp. The presence of Cupid, holding a pair of doves in a giant seashell, underscores the theme of love and loss central to the story. The artist's use of pen and ink creates a sense of delicate detail, emphasizing the emotional weight of the scene. The work is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY.