Artwork
Love Requests Venus to Return His Weapons to Him
Love Requests Venus to Return His Weapons to Him is a print by the Romanticist artist Louis-Marin Bonnet. It dates from 1768 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This print, titled 'Love Requests Venus to Return His Weapons to Him', depicts a scene from Roman mythology. It shows Venus, the goddess of love, accompanied by a small cupid.
Subject & Meaning
The cupid is pleading with Venus to return his quiver of arrows, which are partly concealed by feathers, drawing attention to her nudity. Venus gazes directly at the viewer with a teasing expression, suggesting she controls the power to arouse love.
Technique & Style
The print is executed in color chalk manner, a technique that allows for rich, detailed renderings. The scene is characterized by its playful and intimate atmosphere, with delicate handling of the figures and their surroundings.
Context
The print is related to the work of François Boucher, who created paintings of Roman goddesses for aristocratic patrons. This print, by contrast, was likely aimed at a middle-class audience seeking more affordable versions of such images.
Artist & collection
