Venus Restraining Cupid (1762) by Francois Boucher

Venus Restraining Cupid - Francois Boucher - 1762

Artwork Information

TitleVenus Restraining Cupid
ArtistFrancois Boucher
Date1762
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions56 x 46.5 cm
Art MovementRococo

About Venus Restraining Cupid

The artwork “Venus Restraining Cupid” is a mythological painting created by the French artist Francois Boucher in 1762. This Rococo masterpiece was executed in oil on canvas and it measures 56 by 46.5 centimeters. The Rococo movement, known for its decorative art and use of pastel colors, is perfectly exemplified in this piece.

The artwork presents a soft and intimate depiction of Venus, the goddess of love, as she gently restrains Cupid, the god of desire, symbolized by a young child. Venus is depicted nude, reclining languidly on a cloud, with a gracefully positioned arm reaching out to Cupid who is standing beside her. Her gesture is tender and nurturing, controlling Cupid’s movement without the use of force. Their interaction symbolizes the containment of passion and the refinement of love.

Boucher’s painting is rich in romantic and ethereal sensibility, a hallmark of the Rococo style. The goddess’s flushed cheeks and the playful, chubby form of Cupid create an atmosphere of enchantment. Meanwhile, the pastel color palette is soft and harmonious, contributing to the delicate scene. While Venus occupies the center of the composition, the cherubs and doves surrounding her add to the allegorical expression of love and harmony. The swirling, soft clouds enhance the dreamy quality characteristic of mythological scenes from this period. Boucher’s skillful rendering of textures—from the luminous skin of the goddess to the softness of the clouds—demonstrates his mastery in capturing such an idyllic vision of divine love.

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