Artwork
Venus and Cupid
Venus and Cupid is a print by S. Bennet. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. This paper print, executed by S.
About this work
Overview
This paper print, executed by S. Bennet, copies a composition traditionally linked to Michelangelo. An inscription on the work records that Michelangelo supplied the original drawing while the painter Jacopo da Pontormo executed the design in paint, later rendered in print form by Bennet.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a reclining nude female figure, identified as Venus, embraced from behind by a winged child, Cupid. Venus extends her right arm outward, while her left hand rests on Cupid’s shoulder, suggesting a gesture of invitation or blessing. A decorative mask and a table bearing a floral arrangement appear in the background, adding symbolic layers to the mythological scene.
Technique & Style
Rendered in a classical idiom, the print employs careful modeling of forms and a subtle chiaroscuro that imparts a three‑dimensional quality to the figures. Fine hatching conveys texture in the flesh, drapery, and surrounding objects, while tonal contrasts create depth across the composition.
History & Provenance
The work originates from a collaborative lineage: Michelangelo’s initial drawing, Pontormo’s painted version, and Bennet’s subsequent print reproduction. The inscription linking these artists provides evidence of the print’s intended role as a faithful copy of a celebrated Renaissance design.
Context
During the 16th century, reproductions of celebrated drawings and paintings were common, allowing broader circulation of iconic compositions. This print reflects that practice, preserving a design that combined Michelangelo’s anatomical mastery with Pontormo’s Mannerist coloration, now mediated through Bennet’s printmaking technique.
Artist & collection
Artist
English printmaker in the early 1800s, S. Bennet carved mythological scenes after known paintings so collectors could hang dramatic stories at home. Two prints in this set—*Leda and the Swan* and *Venus and Cupid*—show…
