“Venus Consoling Cupid Stung by a Bee” is a mythological painting created by Benjamin West around the year 1802, during the Neoclassical art movement. This artwork, measuring 1478 by 1228 cm, is housed in the Hermitage Museum situated in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
The artwork depicts Venus, the Roman goddess of love, consoling her son, Cupid, who has been stung by a bee. The painting illustrates a tender moment between the two mythological figures, with Venus holding Cupid in a comforting embrace. Cupid’s wings and the soft textures of his skin contrast with the elegant drapery of Venus’s attire. The background offers a serene atmosphere that complements the intimate scene in the foreground. Benjamin West’s use of light and shadow enhances the emotional depth and three-dimensionality of the figures, emphasizing the classical themes in the narrative.