Venus Anadyomene - Augustin de Saint-Aubin

A fine eighteenth-century engraving by Augustin de Saint-Aubin, depicting the mythological figure of Venus rising from the sea.

This print by Augustin de Saint-Aubin depicts the classical subject of Venus Anadyomene, or Venus rising from the sea. The composition is based on a painting by Titian, which was held in the collection of the Duc d'Orléans at the Palais-Royal in Paris during the eighteenth century. Saint-Aubin, a skilled draughtsman and engraver, captures the figure of the goddess as she emerges from the water, wringing her hair in a gesture of grace.

The technical execution demonstrates the precision typical of French printmaking in the late eighteenth century. Saint-Aubin employs a combination of etching and burin engraving to achieve a range of tonal values, from the soft modelling of the figure to the darker, atmospheric treatment of the sea and sky. The surrounding frame, rendered with architectural clarity, provides a formal boundary that directs the viewer's attention to the central figure.

Saint-Aubin was a member of a prominent family of artists and served as the Dessinateur et Graveur du Roi. His work often involved the reproduction of significant paintings for a wider audience, allowing collectors to own copies of works housed in private royal or aristocratic collections. This print reflects the period's interest in classical mythology and the dissemination of Italian Renaissance compositions through the medium of print. The inclusion of the shell in the foreground serves as a traditional iconographic attribute of Venus, reinforcing the mythological narrative. The print remains a record of both the original painting's appearance and the technical capabilities of the engraver.