Venus and Cupid and two other goddesses seated on a cloud under an arch and accompanied by a putto, an oval composition, from a series of eight compositions after Francesco Primaticcio's designs for the ceiling of the Ulysses Gallery (destroyed 1738-39) at Fontainebleau 1560s

This engraving of Venus, Cupid, and two other goddesses seated on a cloud was made by Giorgio Ghisi in the 16th century. Ghisi’s print is part of a series of eight compositions after Francesco Primaticcio’s designs for the ceiling of the Ulysses Gallery at Fontainebleau. Considered a jewel of the French Renaissance, the Ulysses Gallery was decorated with paintings and stucco sculptures, celebrating the adventures of Ulysses. The original gallery was destroyed in the 18th century, making Ghisi’s engravings important records of the aesthetic and cultural values of the French court during the Renaissance. Ghisi’s engraving reflects the Renaissance’s fascination with classical antiquity, reinterpreting ancient myths through a contemporary lens. The figures embody ideals of beauty and grace, while issues of power, desire, and identity are subtly explored through their interactions and expressions. The emotional complexity of the figures invites us to contemplate the nature of beauty, love, and the human condition.