Venus in de smidse van Vulcanus 1713 - 1739

Louis Desplaces created this print, titled 'Venus in de smidse van Vulcanus', during a time when the echoes of the Renaissance’s fascination with classical mythology still resonated. The image depicts Venus, the goddess of love, in Vulcan’s forge. The scene, bustling with labor, sets a stage for exploring themes of beauty, power, and betrayal. Venus, adorned yet present in a space of male labor, holds Cupid in tow. This adds layers of meaning that speak to the intertwined nature of love and the power dynamics of marriage. Does Venus’s presence undermine or reinforce the traditional narrative of female domesticity and fidelity? The weight of this question lies in the gaze of Venus, which is directed at the viewer, inviting us to question the narratives of female agency and desire. Through Desplaces's rendering, we are confronted with both the mythical and the human dimensions of love, labor, and betrayal, encouraging us to reflect on the stories we tell about ourselves.