Artwork Page for Venus, Mars and Cupid

Details / Information for Venus, Mars and Cupid

Venus, Mars and Cupid

1508

Marcantonio Raimondi

(Italian, 1470/82–1527/34)
Culture
Italy, 16th century
Medium
engraving
Measurements
Sheet: 28.9 x 20.9 cm (11 3/8 x 8 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Leonard C. Hanna Jr. 1924.333
Catalogue raisonné
Delaborde 119 ; Bartsch 345
State
D. III/III
Public Domain
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Location
101A Prints & Drawings
Print

Description

Raimondi’s fascination with ancient marbles is evident in this allegory of love triumphant over war. He used the Belvedere Torso, a fragment of an ancient marble statue, as his model for the figure of Mars. The dynamic, twisting musculature of the broken sculpture inspired many artists who studied its form and incorporated it into new compositions. Here Mars sits disarmed while Venus and Cupid carry a torch of victory, their carefully modeled, static poses reminiscent of sculptures.
A vertically oriented black ink engraving on gray-white paper depicts Mars, Venus, and Cupid, all with light skin tones. At the left, a muscular, nude Mars sits, pointing upward while touching Venus's shoulder. Standing center, a nude Venus holds a tall, flaming torch. To the right, a winged Cupid holds a bow. In the foreground lie armor and a shield with a face. A tree and distant castle occupy the landscape.

Venus, Mars and Cupid

1508

Marcantonio Raimondi

(Italian, 1470/82–1527/34)
Italy, 16th century

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