Francesco Albani "adonis Guide Venus Depius The Cherubins" 165cm X 135cm

Oil on canvas, 17th century. This enchanting composition, attributed to Francesco Albani, depicts an idyllic vision of the myth of Venus, set within a classical, harmonious landscape animated by a multitude of putti and divine figures. The painting perfectly embodies the aesthetic ideal of Bolognese classicism, grounded in balance, grace, and serene narration. In the foreground, Venus lies on a sumptuous red and blue drapery, a symbol of her divine beauty and royalty. Beside her, Diana the Huntress approaches with a dog on a leash, representing a symbolic encounter between love and chastity. The scene is enlivened by playful cherubs—climbing trees, swimming in the river, pulling tiny boats, or floating in the sky holding veils. The luminous, expansive landscape is composed with soft tonal transitions that guide the eye toward the background, where idealized mountains and a flowing river evoke a serene, Arcadian setting. This is a vision of nature transfigured, in perfect harmony with the human figures. The work is a perfect example of Albani’s poetic style, where classical mythology is transformed into a dreamlike world, blending sensuality with grace and rendering the narrative almost musical.