Venus and Amor 1896

Editor: Here we have Fantin-Latour’s "Venus and Amor," a dreamy etching. It feels very classical, but something about the poses feels off. What do you see in this piece, especially in relation to gender and power? Curator: This work, viewed through a feminist lens, prompts questions about the male gaze. Are we, as viewers, complicit in objectifying Venus? The ambiguous positioning of Amor, poised with his arrow, further complicates the dynamics. Consider how the artist’s choices reinforce or subvert traditional patriarchal narratives. Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't considered. Thank you for pointing that out. Curator: It highlights how art can be both beautiful and deeply embedded in complex social structures.