Venus wound 

Giovanni Battista Piranesi created this etching, "Venus wound," during the height of the Enlightenment. The image presents the goddess Venus after she has been wounded by Cupid's arrow. Piranesi was working in a society grappling with new philosophies around reason and individualism, yet still deeply rooted in classical mythology. This piece reflects the ongoing negotiation between tradition and modernity. Venus, traditionally a symbol of beauty and desire, is depicted here in a moment of vulnerability. Her gesture towards her chest, along with the title, implies a wound that is both physical and emotional, revealing a more complex representation of femininity. How does this portrayal of Venus challenge or reinforce societal expectations of women during the 18th century? It raises compelling questions about the representation of gender and the wounds inflicted by societal expectations.