Venus at Vulcan's Forge
1401 to 1500
Medium
etching
Dimensions
sheet: 32.7 × 44.7 cm (12 7/8 × 17 5/8 in.)
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of David Keppel
Accession Number
1947.16.1
Art Historical Context
**Venus at Vulcan's Forge is a captivating etching by the French artist Léon Davent, dating to the late 15 century (circa 1401–1500). Measuring 32.7 × 44.7 cm, this print belongs to the Gallery of Art's collection (Department CG-E), generously gifted by David Keppel. As a classified print, it exemplifies the growing artistry of graphic media during the Renaissance transition, when mythological themes from classical antiquity were revived to celebrate human form and divine narratives. The title evokes a vivid scene from Roman mythology: Venus, goddess of love and beauty, visiting the forge of ...