The Birth of Venus
Venus sits on an open shell held by Neptune lifting her hair from her face with one hand, as a pair of doves flutter near her head and three tritons in the water at right either bow or raise their arms in delight. In the foreground, two large fish writhe in the water. Etched lines in this late state issued ca.1791 replace the aquatint used to create light and shade when Barry issued the print in 1776.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Birth of Venus
- Artist: James Barry (Irish, Cork 1741–1806 London)
- Date: ca. 1791
- Medium: Etching and engraving with touches of aquatint; sixth state of seven
- Dimensions: Plate: 15 15/16 × 23 in. (40.5 × 58.4 cm)
Sheet: 16 13/16 × 24 5/16 in. (42.7 × 61.8 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1977
- Object Number: 1977.623.6
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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