Venus and Vulcan at the Forge 1555

"Venus and Vulcan at the Forge" was engraved by Giorgio Ghisi in the 16th century. Ghisi’s print presents the Roman gods Venus and Vulcan, wife and husband, in an intimate scene at Vulcan’s forge. Here, Ghisi reinterprets the gendered dynamics of labor and desire. Vulcan, the god of metalworking, is depicted in a powerful, muscular pose, actively hammering at his creation. Venus leans in, her gaze direct, as she seems to be participating in the act of creation, not just passively inspiring it. The inclusion of Cupid and the careful composition of the scene encourages us to think about the power dynamics inherent in marriage, labor, and artistic creation. The print complicates any easy reading of male dominance, presenting Venus as an active, knowing participant in the forging of their relationship. Ghisi challenges us to consider the multifaceted nature of desire and how it intertwines with power, creation, and identity.