The Birth of Venus c. 1635 - 1636

"The Birth of Venus" (c. 1635-1636) by Nicolas Poussin is a masterful depiction of the Roman goddess Venus emerging from the sea. The scene is populated with mythological figures like Zephyr, the west wind, and the Horae, goddesses of the seasons, who usher Venus ashore on a seashell. The painting exemplifies the Baroque style with its dramatic composition and use of light. Poussin's work was highly regarded in his time and continues to be studied and admired for its skillful use of color, perspective, and symbolism.