Venus Attired by the Graces
Print
c.1800
c.1800
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This print is an ironic take on the classical motif of Venus and the Three Graces. It depicts a large woman, in her underclothes, sitting on a stool while smaller women bring her clothing and accessories. There are more accessories, including a fan and a pincushion, on the floor.
All of the women have been depicted as markedly ugly, hence the ironic contrast with the traditional beauty of Venus and her attendants. Many of Gillray's social satires, like this one, were noticeably misogynistic.
All of the women have been depicted as markedly ugly, hence the ironic contrast with the traditional beauty of Venus and her attendants. Many of Gillray's social satires, like this one, were noticeably misogynistic.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Venus Attired by the Graces (published title) |
| Materials and techniques | Hnad-coloured etching. |
| Brief description | Satirical print, 'Venus Attired by the Graces' after James Gillray, London c.1800 |
| Physical description | A large woman, in shift and stays, sits on a stool as three smaller women bring her clothing. All four women have been drawn as markedly ugly. Accessories including a fan and a pincushion are strewn across the floor. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Bequeathed by John Jones |
| Object history | Object originally bound in a guard-book containing one hundred and fifteen caricatures by T. Rowlandson, W. Heath, J. Gillray, R. Dighton, G. Cruikshank and others. |
| Summary | This print is an ironic take on the classical motif of Venus and the Three Graces. It depicts a large woman, in her underclothes, sitting on a stool while smaller women bring her clothing and accessories. There are more accessories, including a fan and a pincushion, on the floor. All of the women have been depicted as markedly ugly, hence the ironic contrast with the traditional beauty of Venus and her attendants. Many of Gillray's social satires, like this one, were noticeably misogynistic. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1232:99-1882 |
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| Record created | June 8, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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