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| Correggio Marine Venus surrounded by Gods ca. 1510-30 etching British Museum |
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| Sebald Beham Judgement of Paris, Venus in foreground addressing Paris ca. 1518-30 engraving British Museum |
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| Dirk Jacobsz Vellert Marine Venus on shell-boat with diminutive Cupid in clouds 1524 etching, engraving British Museum |
Madrigal
Ravished by all that to the eyes is fair,
Yet hungry for the joys that truly bless,
My soul can find no stair
To mount to heaven, save earth's loveliness.
For from the stars above
Descends a glorious light
That lifts our longing to their highest height
And bears the name of love.
Nor is there aught can move
A gentle heart, or purge or make it wise,
But beauty and the starlight of her eyes.
– Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), translated by George Santayana (1863-1952)
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| Daniel Hopfer Winged Venus surrounded by demons, Devil behind her, Cupid playing lute before 1536 etching British Museum |
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| Jean Mignon after Luca Penni Mars and Venus embracing ca. 1543-45 etching British Museum |
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| Léon Davent Venus discovering Mars disarmed and asleep ca. 1545-50 etching British Museum |
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| Léon Davent after Luca Penni Cupid and attendants serving banquet to Mars and Venus ca. 1545-50 etching British Museum |
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| attributed to Hans Ladenspelder Mars and Venus, with her foot on the snout of a boar before 1561 etching British Museum |
Silent the Forests
Silent the forests, the streams,
Waveless-sheeted the sea,
Winds in their caves unblustering, at peace,
Somber the night, and white
Its moon of deepest and marmoreal quiet:
Let us too lie like secrets
Locked in love and its sweetness –
Love have no breath, no voice,
No sound a kiss, no voice or sound my sighs!
– Torquato Tasso (1544-1595), translated by Edwin Morgan (1920-2010)
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| Giulio Bonasone Adonis caressing Venus before 1576 engraving British Museum |
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| Abraham de Bruyn Ornamental print with Cupid overpowering Satyr, while Venus and companion look on ca. 1580-1600 engraving British Museum |
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| follower of Luca Cambiaso Standing Venus with Doves before 1585 drawing British Museum |
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| Agostino Carracci Marine Venus supported by Dolphins and attended by Cupids ca. 1585-1600 engraving British Museum |
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| Marco Angolo del Moro Mars and Venus before 1586 etching British Museum |
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| Hendrik Goltzius Venus, Cupid, Bacchus and Ceres 1595 engraving British Museum |