Vibe: When you're the fairest, and anyone who disagrees either burns in flames or gets horsed.

Framed painting under glass. OLX delivery available (Ukraine only).

I added the imagery of a burning Troy in the background based on my own vision. Although Aphrodite, of course, didn’t set Troy ablaze, she indirectly sparked the Trojan War, which ultimately led to the city’s destruction. In Homer’s Iliad, it’s mentioned that she was present in Troy for a long time and even intervened in battles several times (e.g., in Book 3, she saves Paris when he loses a duel to Menelaus, whisking him away to safety. In Book 5, she shields Aeneas from Diomedes, getting wounded herself in the process—yes, Diomedes struck the goddess in the hand with a spear! Later, she got back at him through his wife, who, let’s say, made him wear some horns).

So, I might just be the first in ages to depict Aphrodite against a backdrop of a burning Troy (at least, I couldn’t find any references to similar paintings), and I insist the imagery is relevant since, per the Iliad, Aphrodite was indeed in Troy.

Shorts: Ave, Aphrodite (16 sec.)
The GIFs made from this painting turned out even more stunning.
I hope I nailed the English slang, phrasing my humor as: Fairest here, haters burn or horsed!

"Ave" is an ancient Roman greeting. There’s a common misconception that it means "hail!" or "glory!", but that’s too literal. Ave actually comes from the verb "avere" ("to be healthy"), so a more accurate translation is "be well."

As for me, I think the image came out really striking, totally "iconic."
As for how other devotees of the goddess of love will receive it, the next few months will tell. My Hecate images already have three dozen fans among women, so I hope this beautiful Aphrodite will also find a place on someone’s bedroom wall or altar.

✍ Bogdan Karasiov, April 12, 2025