Aphrodite in Her Garden Possibly 1970

Ann Brunskill created this intaglio print of Aphrodite, goddess of love, sometime between 1950 and 1990. The goddess is presented in her most recognizable form, nude, with a full moon overhead, and a garden, sign of fertility, in the background. The moon has long been linked to femininity and cyclical change, echoing the rhythms of nature. The image of a nude goddess resonates through time, harking back to ancient fertility figures like the Venus of Willendorf. These images were not just representations, but ritual objects embodying the life-giving force of the feminine. Even today, the depiction of the female form carries an emotional charge, engaging with primal aspects of our collective memory. It's fascinating how Brunskill, working in the late 20th century, taps into these ancient archetypes. Aphrodite, the moon, and the garden, all resurface, charged with layers of historical meaning, yet presented anew through a modern lens.