“Gods & Goddesses” Revealed: Venus & Adonis
Share

“Gods & Goddesses” Revealed: Venus & Adonis

If the portraits in “Everyday Gods & Goddesses” seem almost alive — if you think you see their eyes wink as you turn your head, and you wonder if they visit each other, Harry Potter-style, at night — well, that’s just your imagination. But these paintings do have stories, both ancient and modern, behind the canvas. Today’s tale: Venus and Adonis.

Details from Venus and Adonis – My Son by Linda Lawler.
Details from Venus and Adonis – My Son by Linda Lawler.

“Every mother thinks her son is the most charming and handsome of all … obviously my son is!” — Linda Lawler, placard for Adonis – My Son

Artist Linda Lawler’s son is the model for the Adonis painting, but in mythology, Adonis’s mother is a tree: when he is born, the trunk splits open and water nymphs pull him out. Even as an infant, he is famous for his beauty — and as a man, his looks catch the eye of the goddess Venus, who “even forgoes the skies, preferring Adonis to heaven,” as told by the Roman poet Ovid. (Linda Lawler’s model for Venus was her friend Jennifer — who also modeled for the less-than-lovely Medusa on the opposite wall.)

Venus warns Adonis, who is fond of hunting, to watch out for wild animals, but he ignores her (always pay attention to goddesses!) and is gored by a wild boar. The grief-stricken Venus creates a new flower from his blood, Ovid writes: “But enjoyment of it is brief; for, lightly clinging, and too easily fallen, the winds deflower it, which are likewise responsible for its name, windflower: anemone.”

Let’s hope the other myths don’t have sad endings, too. But speaking of brief enjoyment — “Everyday Gods & Goddesses” is only open through May 6, so see it while you can!

Adonis – My Son - Linda Lawler
Adonis – My Son, oil on canvas. 40″ x 36″. (Click for full size)
Venus - Linda Lawler
Venus, oil on canvas. 30″ x 24″. (Click for full size)

Can't get enough?

Sign up for our weekly blog newsletter, subscribe to our RSS feed, or like us on Facebook for the latest Art League news. Visit our homepage for more information about our classes, exhibits, and events in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.

Share this
Welcome to Artful Weekend -our listing of area art exhibits and events- This weekend: November 2024 Open Exhibit, Little Winter, Forged in Service, The Art of Mystery and Enigma by Noreene…
Every week we gather a variety of artist opportunities from the DC area and beyond. Find one below and apply today — good luck! Click…
Welcome to Artful Weekend -our listing of area art exhibits and events- This weekend: November 2024 Open Exhibit, Little Winter, Forged in Service, The Art of Mystery and Enigma by Noreene…
Every week we gather a variety of artist opportunities from the DC area and beyond. Find one below and apply today — good luck! Click…
Welcome to Artful Weekend -our listing of area art exhibits and events- This weekend: November 2024 Open Exhibit, Little Winter, Forged in Service, The Art of Mystery…
Every week we gather a variety of artist opportunities from the DC area and beyond. Find one below and apply today — good luck! Click…

Did you know?

You can support The Art League every time you shop through AmazonSmile!

Simply set The Art League as your chosen charity, and every time you shop at smile.amazon.com, a portion of your purchase will be donated to support our mission to share the experience of visual arts with the community.