# Venus, Mars, and Cupid [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [PIERO DI COSIMO]() - Date: 1451-1500 - Technique: Poplar panel, 72 x 182 cm ## Commentary Despite the different datings they have been given the two panels \(Death of Procris, and Venus and Mars\) may have formed part of a cycle illustrating themes from ancient mythology. The long shape of the panels suggest that they may have decorated a cassone chest. Another aspect of Piero's artistic personality is his ability to infuse his subjects with wit and fantasy. The subject matter is sensual in nature, with Cupid nestling beside Venus' breast near a long-eared rabbit, a symbol of sexual excess. The black and white birds down below seem to symbolize the lovers, Venus and an exhausted Mars asleep on the ground. This panel may have been painted as part of a suite of marital furniture, such as a bedstead, hope chest, or frieze. <P> <TABLE ALIGN=LEFT CELLPADDING=5 BORDER=1 WIDTH=320 BGCOLOR="\#99CCCC"> <TR VALIGN=MIDDLE><TD><IMG SRC="/support/gif/listen.gif" BORDER=0 VALIGN=MIDDLE> Suggested listening \(streaming mp3, 4 minutes\):<BR><A HREF="\#" onClick="w=window.open \('/music1/17\_cent/gasparini\_cupid.html', 'newWin', 'scrollbars=yes,status=no,dependent=yes,screenX=0,screenY=0,width=350,height=350'\);w.opener=this;w.focus\(\);return true"><B>Francesco Gasparini: The Meddlesome Cupid, aria</B></A> </TD></TR></TABLE> ## Related artworks - [Adoration of the Child]() - [Allegory]() - [Battle of Lapiths and Centaurs]() - [Forest Fire \(detail\)]() - [Forest Fire]() - [Giuliano da Sangallo]() - [Holy Family with the Young St John the Baptist]() - [Hunting Scene]() - [Immaculate Conception with Saints]() - [Incarnation of Jesus \(detail\)]() - [Incarnation of Jesus]() - [Madonna and Sleeping Christ Child with the Infant St John the Baptist]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()