Venus, Mars, and Cupid

Art Historical Context

Behold the enchanting etching *Venus, Mars, and Cupid* (1725–80), a collaborative print by Italian artist Carlo Maratti and engraver Francesco Lamarra. This 13 3/16 x 15 15/16-inch sheet captures the timeless mythological trio: Venus, goddess of love; Mars, god of war; and their son Cupid, symbolizing desire. Shields feature prominently in the composition, evoking Mars's martial prowess amid the tender entanglement of love and conflict—a classic Baroque motif blending passion with tension. Created as an etching, this work exemplifies 18th-century printmaking techniques, where acid bites into a metal plate to produce intricate lines reproducible in multiples. Maratti, a leading Roman Baroque painter known for grand historical scenes, likely provided the design, while Lamarra's skilled etching brought its delicate details to life. Such prints democratized access to high art, adorning homes and studies across Europe during the Rococo era's fascination with classical antiquity. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this piece from The Elisha Whittelsey Collection highlights the era's reverence for mythology. It invites visitors to ponder how love disarms even the mightiest warrior, a theme echoing ancient tales in vivid, enduring lines.

About the Artist

Carlo Maratti|Francesco Lamarra · 1625–1713

Son of a Dalmatian father. Known as the last major Italian artist of the classical tradition, which had originated with Raphael. He created a grandiose and decorative style that was valued by his ecclesiastical patrons. Comment on works: History; Religious.