Venus and Cupid (c. 1530) by Lucas Cranach the Elder

Venus and Cupid - Lucas Cranach the Elder - 1509

Artwork Information

TitleVenus and Cupid
ArtistLucas Cranach the Elder
Date1509
MediumOil on Canvas
Dimensions213 x 102 cm
Art MovementNorthern Renaissance
Current LocationHermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Location Created Germany
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About Venus and Cupid

Lucas Cranach the Elder was a German artist known for his portraits and use of dark outlines. One of his famous works is “Venus and Cupid,” created around 1525-27 using oil on wood. This painting has a diameter of 4 3/4 inches (12.1 cm).

The artwork depicts Cupid reaching for a honeycomb but getting stung by bees instead, as he looks up at Venus for sympathy. However, she appears to be ignoring him in the painting. It is interesting that similar works by Cranach and his workshop exist with some differences in details.

Cranach’s style was influenced by woodcuts and engravings, which can be seen in this artwork’s mannered depiction. The dark outlines give the painting an almost graphic quality that emphasizes its details. Overall, “Venus and Cupid” embodies both the beauty and complexity of human relationships portrayed through mythological figures.

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