Ovaal medaillon met Venus die Adonis weerhoudt van de jacht c. 1610 - 1615

Antoine Jacquard created this oval medallion depicting Venus restraining Adonis from the hunt sometime between 1620 and 1650. The print, now held in the Rijksmuseum, encapsulates a story drawn from classical mythology that was often reproduced in the art of this period. The image presents a complex visual and cultural code. The central scene of Venus and Adonis is framed by a decorative border featuring cherubs, satyrs, and classical motifs. In 17th-century Europe, mythological subjects were immensely popular, reflecting a broader cultural interest in classical learning and humanist values. These images often served as vehicles for exploring themes of love, desire, and morality, subtly commenting on the social structures of the time. To fully understand Jacquard’s work, one might explore emblem books, illustrated volumes that combined images with symbolic texts, as these were influential in shaping artistic and cultural values. By placing this work within its artistic and cultural context, we can see the enduring power of art to shape and reflect social norms.