Het geopende graf van Venus, ca. 1707-1708 1707 - 1708

"Het geopende graf van Venus" is an etching by Carel Allard, dating from 1707-1708. The artwork depicts a dramatic scene of mourning over the death of Venus, with skeletons, angels and figures reacting to her demise. This print, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a powerful example of 17th-century Dutch art that draws from allegorical themes, focusing on the transient nature of beauty and life. The image is small in scale, measuring only 315 mm in height and 200 mm in width, yet it carries a potent message that resonates with viewers even today.