Venus Urania 1786

Erik Pauelsen's 1786 portrait, "Venus Urania," depicts the Roman goddess Venus adorned with a crown of stars. The painting, housed at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, showcases Pauelsen's masterful use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and realism. Venus's gaze, directed upwards, evokes a sense of celestial contemplation. This work exemplifies the neoclassical style prevalent in the late 18th century, characterized by its emphasis on classical themes and idealized beauty.