Artwork

Venus at the Forge of Vulcan

Venus at the Forge of Vulcan, by Louis-Felix de La Rue, 1750
Venus at the Forge of Vulcan, by Louis-Felix de La Rue, 1750

Venus at the Forge of Vulcan is a drawing by the Baroque artist Louis-Felix de La Rue. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Venus at the Forge of Vulcan is a drawing depicting a scene from classical mythology.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing illustrates a moment from Virgil's Aeneid, where Venus descends on a cloud to collect a suit of armor forged by Vulcan for her son Aeneas. Putti play with the finished armor, highlighting the scene's narrative.

Technique & Style

The drawing showcases a mythological scene with detailed figures and setting, characteristic of a classical influence.

Context

The scene is rooted in ancient Roman literature, drawing from Virgil's epic poem, the Aeneid.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.