Death of Adonis 1612

This 1612 drawing, “Death of Adonis”, by Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens is a powerful depiction of the Greek myth of Adonis’s demise. A heartbroken Venus mourns over her beloved, whose body lies sprawled across the landscape. The emotion of this scene is palpable in Rubens’s expert use of line, highlighting the contorted poses and dramatic gestures of the figures. This work is housed in the British Museum, London, and is a testament to Rubens’s skill as a draughtsman.