Venus

Sebald Beham

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a person standing in a side profile position. The person's face is in profile with clear features and their hair is styled back with fabric or ribbon-like extensions flowing behind. They are wearing a draped garment and hold a burning heart in one hand and a spear or staff in the other. The person stands above a reclining cow, near a basket. In the background, there is a simple landscape with trees, shrubs, and what appears to be a body of water visible in the distance. The word "VENVS" is inscribed at the top of the image, along with symbols that may be astrological or symbolic references.