Venus and Satyr

The Baroque painter Sebastiano Ricci depicts a scene from mythology with his work »Venus and Satyr«. In front of an idyllic landscape, the viewer sees a satyr kneeling, watching the naked, sleeping Venus. Beside her sleeps little Amor, her son. Venus is partly covered by a red bed sheet whose color emphasizes the erotic connotation of the work of art. It contrasts with the white sheet on which Venus lies, as well as her bright, milky skin. In addition, a red ribbon loosens her hair. The arrows Cupid and his bow are also held in red. While Venus embodies gentle femininity and sensuality, the muscular and hairy satyr is the symbol of maleness and rudeness. The painting was created between 1716 and 1720 and fits into the tradition of numerous Baroque depictions of Venus.