The altar in the Temple of Venus (fol. o iii verso) 1499

Curator: Here we have a fascinating piece from the Harvard Art Museums: "The altar in the Temple of Venus." It's a delicate drawing, no artist is known, its dimensions are about 12.5 by 7.5 centimeters. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the linear precision and the somber mood it evokes, despite being a representation of Venus's altar. Curator: Indeed, there's a certain austerity in the stark black lines against the aged paper, isn't there? The altar itself is quite ornate, with layers of decorative motifs. Editor: Observe the geometric repetition – the circles, the parallel lines, the garland swags. All meticulously rendered. Curator: It feels like a symbolic diagram rather than a celebratory image. Perhaps it's about the codified rituals of love, more than the emotion itself. Editor: I see the balance – the stable base, the ascending tiers. It's a very controlled passion, wouldn't you agree? Curator: Yes, perhaps we're seeing Venus through a lens of restraint, a carefully constructed ideal of beauty and devotion. Editor: It’s a reminder that even love has its architecture, its planned spaces. Curator: Exactly. And, as such, is open to all manner of interpretation. Editor: An image that invites a kind of quiet contemplation.