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Venus and Cupid Discovering the Body of Adonis

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

National Gallery of Art

The image is a sepia-toned sketch showing three figures. The central figure is reclining on a large, flowing form, positioned semi-upright with a gentle tilt. This figure has indistinct facial features, long, wavy hair, and wears a loose, flowing garment. Below the central figure, a smaller figure with a similarly obscured face looks upwards, partially wrapped in the same flowing material. The third figure lies horizontally at the bottom of the composition, with a relaxed posture. The background is mostly blank.

Artwork Details

Date
c. 1740
Medium
pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk on laid paper
Dimensions
3349 × 4740 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
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