Biographical Information
Venus lamenting the death of Adonis is a drawing designed by Benjamin West in the year 1768. He spent most of his time designing paintings such as this while in London.
Description
Venus Lamenting, the death of Adonis, is a drawing about Adonis, a mortal youth, as from the Ovid Metamorphoses. Venus was a mythological goddess who fell in love with him. They used to spend most of their time together hunting wild animals. He was slain while hunting and lay down on the ground until Venus descended from the sky to moan over the body.
Historical Context
Benjamin West was born was born on 10th October 1738 in Springfield Township. His father was a struggling innkeeper who had migrated from England in search of a better life. They lived among Quakers, who had little appreciation for art, but this did not tie him down. His family consisted of artists who probably inspired him to start drawing. He gained reputation while still a child in the eastern Pennsylvania since he was a child prodigy. He was a self-taught artist who began his career in Pennsylvania painting portraits from the year 1746 to 1759. In 1760, he met William Allen a wealth merchant, a chief justice and mayor of Pennsylvania …show more content…
The low clouds were used to create an intimate and protective surrounding for pictorial elements to be included in the portrait. Drapers can be observed covering Adonis wounds to ensure that a small portion of blood is observable at the bottom. The figures have been painted with geometric precision because the express a sense of calmness. A Grecian profile has also been created around Venus hence bringing out a noble setting around. The angle used makes it easier for him to incorporate various details into the portrait. The colors used were not applied to provide neat outlines but were rather handled freely in a Rubenesque way. They were also used to depict ancient time and
Venus lamenting the death of Adonis is a drawing designed by Benjamin West in the year 1768. He spent most of his time designing paintings such as this while in London.
Description
Venus Lamenting, the death of Adonis, is a drawing about Adonis, a mortal youth, as from the Ovid Metamorphoses. Venus was a mythological goddess who fell in love with him. They used to spend most of their time together hunting wild animals. He was slain while hunting and lay down on the ground until Venus descended from the sky to moan over the body.
Historical Context
Benjamin West was born was born on 10th October 1738 in Springfield Township. His father was a struggling innkeeper who had migrated from England in search of a better life. They lived among Quakers, who had little appreciation for art, but this did not tie him down. His family consisted of artists who probably inspired him to start drawing. He gained reputation while still a child in the eastern Pennsylvania since he was a child prodigy. He was a self-taught artist who began his career in Pennsylvania painting portraits from the year 1746 to 1759. In 1760, he met William Allen a wealth merchant, a chief justice and mayor of Pennsylvania …show more content…
The low clouds were used to create an intimate and protective surrounding for pictorial elements to be included in the portrait. Drapers can be observed covering Adonis wounds to ensure that a small portion of blood is observable at the bottom. The figures have been painted with geometric precision because the express a sense of calmness. A Grecian profile has also been created around Venus hence bringing out a noble setting around. The angle used makes it easier for him to incorporate various details into the portrait. The colors used were not applied to provide neat outlines but were rather handled freely in a Rubenesque way. They were also used to depict ancient time and