Venus and Cupid

06 Sep

Venus and Cupid

Cupid and Venus, an lubricant painting near the venetian Lorenzo Lotto.

The subject of this drawing, near the most unconventional mastermind of the Venetian Renaissance, was inspired by classical marriage poems and was almost certainly painted to celebrate a marriage. Lotto was fascinated with emblematic devices. The cartridge overhead Venus’ skull and the rose petals on her lap are customary attributes of the goddess. The ivy is symbolic of conjugal fidelity while the myrtle wreath and brazier suspended from it are accoutrements of the marriage chamber. Venus wears the earring and diadem of a sixteenth-century bride. Cupid’s activity, an augury of fertility, confers a humour of lighthearted intelligence on this most favourite Venetian subject.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

In her mitt, Venus grasp a wreath made of myrtle, an old warmth coin. I esteem the feeling of warmth and merriment that radiates from the whole painting.