Venus at Sea 1985

Jim Dine's Venus at Sea is a print on paper that captures a Venus torso through layers of color and line. The turquoise ground peeks out from under pinks and blacks that define the figure, and Dine’s lines are active – they feel like a sculptor searching for form. The layering of color creates a palpable depth. Look at how the dark marks around the figure’s left side create a sense of shadow and volume. It is like Dine is building form with atmosphere. The linear qualities speak to drawing. The process is totally visible, and the artist’s hand is right there. The marks aren’t concealed; they’re celebrated. Dine's contemporary, Cy Twombly, also worked in this mode of raw mark making and classical reference. Both artists remind us that art is a conversation, a constant revisiting, and reimagining of forms. There is no right or wrong way to read this print, just an invitation to dive into its layers.