The birth of Venus

Lionel ROYER (1852-1926)

France

19th century

Pencil and white stone highlights on laid paper

Gift from the Friends of the museum, 2008

Inv. 2010. 14.1

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Lionel Royer (1852-1926) is a portraitist and a history painter. A student of Alexandre Cabanel and William Bouguereau, he receives the second First Grand Prix de Rome in 1882. He is especially renowned for his vast historical compositions such as the décor of the Domrémy basilica around the life of Joan of Arc or his most famous painting Vercingetorix throwing down his arms at the feet on Julius Caesar (Crozatier museum, Puy-en Velay).

Standing on a rock, Venus is shown naked, brandishing in her hand an arrow pointed towards the sky. The drapery of her clothing slips from her right arm as she moves. Her face is turned towards Cupid who is flying above her, a recurve bow in his hand. The arrow that Venus is holding is a reference to those shot by Cupid at men or gods and that cause anyone touched by them to fall in love with the first person encountered. The swirling composition is enhanced by the postures and glances of the two characters, as well as by the white highlights, which showcase the floating veil and the sea birds flying. The artwork is signed on the bottom right.