Venus and Cupid, second plate 1895

Henri Fantin-Latour’s “Venus and Cupid, second plate” (1895) is a black and white etching that depicts the Roman goddess Venus reclining on a bed of foliage with the god of love, Cupid, standing at her side. The image is rendered in a delicate and atmospheric style, with subtle shading and fine lines that create a sense of depth and texture. The composition is reminiscent of classical art, but Fantin-Latour’s use of tonal values gives it a distinctly modern feel. The etching is part of a series of plates that Fantin-Latour created in the 1890s, and it is considered one of his finest works.