Vulcan, Cupid and Venus 

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio, crafted this bronze roundel, Vulcan, Cupid and Venus, during the Italian Renaissance, a period marked by a renewed interest in classical antiquity. The scene depicts the mythological narrative of Venus, the goddess of love, visiting her husband Vulcan, the god of the forge, accompanied by Cupid. Yet, the gaze lingers on the male figure, and the female body is presented as an object of beauty and desire. The work’s composition reflects the era’s hierarchical gender dynamics, where male artistry and labor take center stage while female figures are relegated to roles of muse or symbol. This artwork perpetuates traditional representations, reinforcing prevailing societal norms. This bronze embodies the complexities of its time, revealing a society grappling with evolving notions of gender, identity, and power.