Rosie Emerson: Venus Grotto 1 of 2

Rosie Emerson
Photopolymer etching, gold leaf and diamond dust on paper
Variable edition of 2
H 53 x W 44 cm artwork size

From Rosie Emerson's solo exhibition, When Other Worlds Whisper

Framing notes:

Our framing suggestion for Venus Grotto would be to float mount the artwork into a hand-finished wooden frame with specialist glass, please contact us for a framing quote. Alternative mouldings and frame styles are available and can be quoted upon request. 

All of our frames include anti-reflective glass containing 70% UV protection as standard to ensure the depth of colour and archival qualities are maintained. Specialist glass with higher grades of UV protection are available (92% UV protection and 99% UV protection – Museum grade) and can be quoted upon request. Please contact us and we will be happy to discuss which option would best suit your requirements and desired artwork position (i.e. if placing in direct sunlight). 

Behind the Artwork:

Venus Grotto draws inspiration from Ludwig II's artificial Bavarian grotto carved beneath Linderhof Palace, a realm of fantasy and imagination. Known as the Swan King or the Fairy Tale King, Ludwig II reigned as the King of Bavaria from 1864 until his death in 1886. As a constitutional monarch with considerable wealth, the reclusive king crafted a vibrant and private world of fantasy. A devoted patron of composer Richard Wagner, he constructed the ornate Venus Grotto to stage Wagner’s operas, designing it to reflect the first act of Tannhäuser.

The grotto features a waterfall, artificial stalactites, swan-shaped boats, and an elaborate shell-shaped ark floating on an artificial lake. The grotto's surfaces are painted in vivid colours and adorned with mica for a shimmering effect which was brought to life by a revolutionary coloured illumination device powered by one of the world’s first electric power stations. Ludwig was often the sole audience member during these operatic performances, the grotto serving as his exclusive immersive theatre. In addition to Linderhof, Ludwig created several other opulent palaces, including Neuschwanstein Castle, which inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle.

Venus Grotto is one of the artworks from Rosie Emerson's solo exhibition titled When Other Worlds Whisper. This exhibition is the manifestation of a period of research in which Rosie has carved out the time and space to experiment with new techniques, and follow new pathways guided by historical and ecological curiosity. Inspired by the opulent grottos of extravagant aristocrats, the flamboyant embodiment of microscopic life, the mysterious communication patterns of coral, and the secret drawers of ornate Victorian cabinets, Rosie Emerson uses her theatrical sensibility to create windows into hidden worlds.