Venus en Cupido 1671 - 1726

This is an engraving of Venus en Cupido by an anonymous artist. Nudity in art has a long history, often used to explore idealized forms and allegorical themes. Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, and her son Cupid, frequently appear in art to explore themes of desire and affection. The depiction of Venus and Cupid has often served as a reflection of societal ideals surrounding femininity, motherhood, and beauty, which were often dictated by a patriarchal gaze. As we consider this artwork, it might be interesting to question how the power dynamics are depicted between mother and son, and how those relate to the artist's perspective. Even without knowing the artist's identity, we can think about how their personal views on womanhood may have been communicated through this piece. Consider, too, how the viewers at the time may have interpreted the relationship between the two figures. Perhaps the image reflects a desire for maternal affection, or maybe it speaks to the complicated nature of desire itself.