Aeneas, Venus, and Achates n.d.

Conte Pietro Antonio Rotari created this print of Aeneas, Venus, and Achates. The print captures a scene rich with classical mythology and speaks to the cultural values of its time. The figures, drawn from Virgil's Aeneid, embody ideals of heroism, beauty, and divine intervention. Aeneas, the Trojan hero, stands with his companion Achates, while his mother, the goddess Venus, appears before them, attended by Cupid. Venus’s role as a divine protector, and the intervention of Cupid, highlights themes of destiny and fate. The etching technique, with its delicate lines and shading, adds an emotional depth to the scene. The identities of the figures are carefully constructed. Aeneas is depicted as a strong, capable leader, and Venus as an ethereal, protective mother. The narrative reinforces the period’s patriarchal values, where male heroism and divine feminine guidance shape destiny. Through its classical imagery and refined technique, the artwork invites us to reflect on the enduring power of myth and its role in shaping societal ideals.