Mars and Venus

This painter from Parma was the author of altarpieces as well as fresco decorations in both Rome and Parma. Nevertheless, he was especially esteemed for gallery paintings, such as the present canvas. While three ‘amorini’ are busy disarming him, Mars futilely attempts to resist the enticement of Venus, lying on a precious bed; a pleasant landscape opens up in the background.

The painting seems to have been quite famous, judging from the existence of an old copy which documents the original format of the work, altered during the eighteenth century.