The Triumph Of Venus

Alessandro Magnasco, also known as il Lissandro was born on 1667 in Genoa, Italy. He was an Italian painter of late Baroque period , known for his stylized, fantastic and stormy landscapes rich in sublime. He began his journey as a portrait painter, but later, his works are marked by wanderers and bandits or religious themes painted in loose style and often set in romantic landscapes. His slendered figures and unnatural, flickering light heighten the sense of fantastic and grotesque in his art. Alessandro's "The Triumph of Venus" (1720-1730) shows an old classical scene with many people are engaged in different activities. The ruins are grand and looks like an ancient Roman buildings with big columns, arches, broken walls, overgrown with vegetation. On the right side, Roman Goddess of love, Venus, rides in a processional chariot, helped by blindfolded putti. Number of mythical figures like Nymphs and Satyrs are dancing, running, blowing trumpets around the Goddess. The figures in the background seems to be engaged in some battle or conflict, adding a layer of complex story. The artist added more energy and movement in unhibited, lively scene by painting the figures in quick and loose brushstroke. The general colors of the painting are earthly shades while the brighter colors are used in the clothes of the figures and the sky.