Naissance et Triomphe de Venus (The Birth and Triumph of Venus) 1718 - 1763

Jean Daullé crafted this engraving of the Birth and Triumph of Venus sometime in the mid-18th century. At its heart lies Venus, the Roman goddess of love, born from the sea, surrounded by cherubs and attendants. Consider the cherubs: these winged figures, derived from ancient depictions of Eros, symbolize divine love. They reappear throughout history, transforming from pagan deities to Christian angels, their essence – a representation of love and innocence – enduring across cultures. The goddess's emergence from the sea is itself a potent symbol. The sea, a source of life and mystery, mirrors the subconscious. Venus's birth from it can be seen as the arising of beauty and desire from the depths of the human psyche. This emergence is not merely a physical birth but a psychological revelation, a surfacing of primal forces. The cyclical nature of these symbols is striking. Venus, born of the sea, carried by cherubs, continues to inspire artists and captivate viewers, demonstrating how images transcend time, constantly reborn in new contexts.