The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of September 13, 2026

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
engraving
Sheet: 28.9 x 20.9 cm (11 3/8 x 8 1/4 in.)
Gift of Leonard C. Hanna Jr. 1924.333
Catalogue raisonné: Delaborde 119 ; Bartsch 345
Location: 101A Prints & Drawings

Description

Marcantonio Raimondi studied works by both Andrea Mantegna and Albrecht Dürer, blending them into a unified style that became highly influential in the emerging print publishing industry. Created while he was working under goldsmith Francesco Francia, this engraving depicts Mars, the Roman god of war; Venus, the goddess of love; and Cupid, the god of desire. The dark, bold outlines resemble engravings by Mantegna’s followers, but the fine hatching on the figures shows familiarity with prints by Dürer and Lucas van Leyden. Marcantonio’s mature technique would become a “how-to” for engravers tackling complex compositions.
  • (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
  • The Renaissance Engraver at Work. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 5-November 1, 2026).
    Gods and Heroes: Ancient Legends in Renaissance Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (August 26-December 31, 2017).
    Albrecht Dürer - 500th Anniversary. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 19-March 28, 1971).
    Miscellaneous Prints and Drawings from the Museum Collections. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (June 23-October 23, 1924).
  • {{cite web|title=Venus, Mars and Cupid|url=false|author=Marcantonio Raimondi|year=1508|access-date=13 September 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1924.333