Over the years, Venus has been depicted in numerous ways. The idea was to see how Venus, the most quintessential icon of femininity and beauty, had been variously portrayed through the ages. It was interesting to see that Venus had been for the most part homogeneously represented until recent years.
Statue of crouching Aphrodite ('Lely's Venus'), 100/199, From the collection of: British Museum
This Venus—dated between 100-99 AD—is a good starting point for this chronological gallery. It establishes the canonical look of Venus, and the classic image of beauty.
Relief depicting Mars and Venus, the mythical divine ancestors of the gens Iulia, 1900 - 1950 (cast) - III century AD (original), From the collection of: Museo della Civiltà Romana
This relief depicts a different, less "realistic" sort of Venus. The portrayal (possibly as part of the medium) puts more emphasis on making the character known than on things such as space.
Mars and Venus, German 15th Century, 1400/1499, From the collection of: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
Mars and Venus are both depicted in this German image of a constellation. Venus appears in clothing typical for the German women of the time and the image puts more visual emphasis on chastity.
The birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli, 1483 - 1485, From the collection of: Uffizi Gallery
Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus" shows Venus emerging from the sea. The piece shows Venus with all the entire rest of the scene revolving around her. The movement leads the eye to her.
The Toilette of Venus, Joseph Heintz the Elder, 1594, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
This drawing of Venus shows her, again covered, but this time faced away from the viewer. Venus's body is part of the emphasis here, her form and the muscles under the skin have been drawn to detail.
Venus Lamenting Adonis, Sir Peter Paul Rubens, c. 1608-1612, From the collection of: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
This drawing, more sketched in appearance, shows a part of the mythology of Venus and also portrays a different face than previous incarnations of the goddess, but the form is familiar.
Venus, François Boucher, c. 1754, From the collection of: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
This drawing is included in the gallery because the model for this piece was a woman like any other. The title is Venus but the drawing could be anyone. It's important that Venus is generalized.
African Venus, Charles-Henri-Joseph Cordier, 1851, From the collection of: The Walters Art Museum
An untraditional view of Venus, this bust nonetheless captures a sense of womanhood and beauty that suggest its importance to the image of what a woman is.
The Birth of Venus, Alexandre Cabanel, 1863, From the collection of: Musée d’Orsay, Paris
Yet another depiction of the birth of venus, this piece emphasizes the otherworldly beauty of Venus by painting her floating in space with a sea. It elevates the female form with soft lighting.
Venus in the Grotto, Koloman Moser, 1914, From the collection of: Leopold Museum
This version of Venus, again shows another kind of Venus. One who, is not necessarily as soft as any of the others.
Credits: All media
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