Venus en Amor 1701

This drawing, made by Jan Claudius de Cock, features Venus and Cupid. Venus, goddess of love, is often depicted with her son Cupid, representing desire and affection. Here, Venus seems to be reaching for Cupid, who in turn is reaching for a dove. The dove is a classic symbol associated with Venus, representing love, peace, and beauty. Think about how this contrasts with images of Leda and the Swan, where the swan represents a violent, forceful kind of encounter. In both scenarios, a bird becomes the conduit of divine will. The motif of reaching—a gesture charged with both longing and potential connection—appears throughout art history, consider the Creation of Adam, by Michelangelo. Such imagery taps into our collective memory, resonating deeply, and stirring subconscious emotional responses. The non-linear progression of this symbol highlights how gestures resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings.