Venus, Cupid and Mars
About this artwork
Venus gently comforts her son Cupid, who is startled by a lively little spaniel. This incidental detail enhances the immediate appeal of the mythological characters. The sensuous goddess of love, swathed in luxurious fabric, rests on Mars' knee. It is thought that the god of war may have been included late on in the design (possibly by an assistant) because only the figures of Venus and Cupid appear in related preparatory drawings (British Museum, London). The very sketchy treatment of Cupid's wings suggests that the painting may have been left unfinished.
Updated before 2020
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artist:
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title:Venus, Cupid and Mars
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date created:About 1580
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materials:Oil on canvas
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measurements:165.20 x 126.50 cm (framed: 213.70 x 176.00 x 12.50 cm)
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object type:
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credit line:Purchased by the Royal Institution 1859; transferred to the National Gallery of Scotland 1867
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accession number:NG 339
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photographer:Antonia Reeve
Paolo Caliari
Paolo Caliari
Veronese was the leading painter in Venice after Titian and was celebrated for his large decorative works, rich in colour and theatrical in character. He was born Paolo Caliari in Verona and was named 'Veronese' once he settled in Venice. Many of his frescoes and canvases are still in the…
