The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 16, 2024
Venus (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #43)
before 1467
Location: not on view
Description
This engraving is part of the Tarocchi group marked with the letter “A”, and named Firmaments of the Universe. This series comprises the seven planets from the classical astronomy (Moon, Mercury, Venus, Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn) and the three celestial spheres that separate them from the Supreme Entity (Prima Causa) from which everything was originated.Here, Venus is personified as a nude female figure, in profile, bathing in a small river, and holding a sea shell in her right hand. Doves are flying above her. Venus’s winged son Cupid stands behind her, blindfolded and carrying his bow and arrows. On the other side of the river bank are three naked young girls, symbolizing the three Graces. Venus was believed to be the Goddess of Love, the daughter of Jupiter, and the third in the order of planets.
- {{cite web|title=Venus (from the Tarocchi, series A: Firmaments of the Universe, #43)|url=false|author=Master of the E-Series Tarocchi|year=before 1467|access-date=16 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1924.432.43