Buste van Venus de' Medici, op de rug gezien 1672 - 1711

Augustinus Terwesten etched this depiction of the Venus de' Medici bust. The goddess Venus, known for love and beauty, is captured here in profile, her elaborate hairstyle reflecting classical ideals. The motif of Venus, or Aphrodite in Greek, has ancient roots, tracing back to fertility goddesses of the Near East. Her image, adapted by the Greeks and later the Romans, embodies ideals of feminine beauty and desire. This classical depiction is rooted in the Venus Pudica pose, which is characterized by modesty, yet it is laden with sensuality. Consider Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," a Renaissance masterpiece. There, too, Venus emerges, embodying beauty and a kind of innocent allure. The persistence of Venus throughout art history signals an enduring fascination with the female form, with beauty, and with love itself. Each iteration is a cultural echo, revealing our complex relationship with these archetypes.