46: The Room of German Art

Venus and Cupid

1509

Cranach the Elder, Lucas

This is the earliest north European depiction of the Ancient goddess of love nude (previously only Eve had been shown naked), as well as Cranach's first work on a theme taken from Classical mythology. It combines an interest in the art of the Italian Renaissance with the spirit of German humanism and its strict religious morals. The Latin inscription, probably by one of the Wittenberg humanists who were friends of the artist, reads:

"With all your strength ward off Cupid's love of voluptuousness,
For else Venus will take over your blinded soul."

Cranach rejects colour, placing the emphasis on the modelling of the bodies, which stand out majestically against the blank, dark background. The sole touches of colour are the turquoise beads around Venus's neck and the red beads of Cupid. Venus's elongated proportions and the unique flowing contours hint at the artist's later works.