Venus rising from the froth of the sea
Oil Painting
19th century (painted)
19th century (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This oil painting shows the figure of Venus, stood on a rock at the foot of the rainbow and encircled with waves and sea foam. Venus, or Aphrodite, was the goddess of love and beauty. Classical legend tells of Venus being created after the severed genitals of the god Uranus were thrown in to the sea. The other figures surrounding Venus in Cruikshank’s’ image may be the Furies (vengeful female deities) who were created from the blood of Uranus.
Cruikshank painted two versions of this subject that are very similar in composition. The version in the Graphic Arts Collection at Princeton University also features Venus on a rainbow-bathed rock with waves crashing round her.
George Cruikshank is best known as a caricaturist and book illustrator. A prolific maker of prints during a long working life (there is an extensive collection in the V&A), the number of works in oil is small. Cruikshank was aware of his shortcomings as a painter in oils; in April 1853 he briefly enrolled - at the age of 61 - as a student in the RA antique class. He exhibited eight at the RA between 1830 and 1867 and 15 at the BI 1833-60, the subjects principally literary and genre. Died London 1 February 1878; a good deal of his studio collection was presented to the V &A by his second wife Eliza.
Cruikshank painted two versions of this subject that are very similar in composition. The version in the Graphic Arts Collection at Princeton University also features Venus on a rainbow-bathed rock with waves crashing round her.
George Cruikshank is best known as a caricaturist and book illustrator. A prolific maker of prints during a long working life (there is an extensive collection in the V&A), the number of works in oil is small. Cruikshank was aware of his shortcomings as a painter in oils; in April 1853 he briefly enrolled - at the age of 61 - as a student in the RA antique class. He exhibited eight at the RA between 1830 and 1867 and 15 at the BI 1833-60, the subjects principally literary and genre. Died London 1 February 1878; a good deal of his studio collection was presented to the V &A by his second wife Eliza.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Venus rising from the froth of the sea (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Oil on canvas |
| Brief description | Oil painting, 'Venus Rising from the Froth of the Sea', George Cruikshank |
| Physical description | Image of Venus rising from the froth of the sea. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Production type | Unique |
| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by Mrs George Cruikshank |
| Object history | Given by Mrs George Cruikshanks, 1884. There is a very similar painting by Cruikshank - another version? - in Princeton University, Firestone Library, Graphic Arts Collection (see references). |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This oil painting shows the figure of Venus, stood on a rock at the foot of the rainbow and encircled with waves and sea foam. Venus, or Aphrodite, was the goddess of love and beauty. Classical legend tells of Venus being created after the severed genitals of the god Uranus were thrown in to the sea. The other figures surrounding Venus in Cruikshank’s’ image may be the Furies (vengeful female deities) who were created from the blood of Uranus. Cruikshank painted two versions of this subject that are very similar in composition. The version in the Graphic Arts Collection at Princeton University also features Venus on a rainbow-bathed rock with waves crashing round her. George Cruikshank is best known as a caricaturist and book illustrator. A prolific maker of prints during a long working life (there is an extensive collection in the V&A), the number of works in oil is small. Cruikshank was aware of his shortcomings as a painter in oils; in April 1853 he briefly enrolled - at the age of 61 - as a student in the RA antique class. He exhibited eight at the RA between 1830 and 1867 and 15 at the BI 1833-60, the subjects principally literary and genre. Died London 1 February 1878; a good deal of his studio collection was presented to the V &A by his second wife Eliza. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 9570 |
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| Record created | April 25, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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