Dreaming of Venus and the Sea Monster
A close look at Getty art in relief
Venus Reclining on a Sea Monster with Cupid and a Putto, 1787/88–1790, John Deare. Marble, 13 1/4 × 23 × 4 7/16 in. Getty Museum, 98.SA.4
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How do you describe a work of art?
With art terms, of course! We've heard your questions about works of art at Getty, and we're here to answer your Frequently Asked Art Questions (FAAQs).
For our first stop in this series, let's take a look at Getty’s Venus Reclining on a Sea Monster with Cupid and a Putto, the perfect sculpture to describe with the art term, “relief.”
Watch the video, or read on below!
What Is a Relief?
A relief sculpture is a work of art in which the figures project from a supporting background, usually a plane surface.
Turn this relief sculpture on its side and it is easy to see how the figures emerge from the flat marble surface.
This relief was carved by English Neoclassical sculptor John Deare, a child prodigy, rumored to have slept on marble hoping to find inspiration in his dreams. In this relief he displays great skill by carving a variety of levels and textures in low and high relief.
What Is Low Relief or Bas-Relief?
Reliefs are classified according to the height of the figures’ projection or detachment from the background. A low relief (also called a bas-relief) sculpture contains shallower detail and sticks out less from the surface. It has a “flat” look. As an example, take a look at this detail of the Venus relief featuring a putti (a cherub-like figure) holding a torch.
For another example, pick up an American quarter. George Washington is “low” relief.
What Is High Relief?
The opposite of low relief, high relief juts out toward the viewer and away from the background—sometimes looking like it’s fully detached from the surface. Take a look at this detail of Venus and the titular sea monster as an example.
She’s chin-chucking its beard, a gesture that represents erotic intent. The monster licks her hand in response. Deare's depiction of Lust as a woman riding a goat forms part of an iconographic tradition that has been popular since the Middle Ages.
What art terms or paintings would you like to know how to discuss a bit better? Let us know on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or email us at stories@getty.edu.
