Venus wordt gestreeld door Cupido 1757 - 1793

Louis Marin Bonnet created this stipple engraving called "Venus wordt gestreeld door Cupido" in France during the late 18th century. This print depicts Venus, the Roman goddess of love, being caressed by her son, Cupid. During this time, images of classical mythology were popular in France, especially among the aristocratic elite. Artists such as Bonnet often catered to this market, producing elegant and refined works that celebrated beauty, love, and pleasure. The stipple engraving technique, with its soft and delicate textures, was well-suited to these themes, adding a sense of luxury. These images were more than simple decoration, they reflected the values and aspirations of the upper class, who saw themselves as heirs to the classical tradition. However, the French revolution was just around the corner, and social historians see in the iconography of these images also an indirect source of revolutionary fervor. By examining sources such as period letters, social commentaries, and the records of art institutions, we can better understand the complex relationship between art and society in 18th-century France.