DISCOVERART

Marcantonio Raimondi

Mars, Venus and Cupid

1508
Engraving in black on cream laid paper
29.9 × 21 cm (11.8 × 8.3 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Marcantonio Raimondi’s engraving Mars, Venus, and Cupid was one of his most sought-after works. Mars, the Roman god of war, and Venus, the goddess of love, are depicted with Cupid in front of a background inspired by Albrecht Dürer. In Roman mythology, the two gods had an affair even though Venus was married to Vulcan, the god of fire. Mars sits with his elbow on his knee as he twists his muscular body to grab Venus by the shoulder. Venus looks down and away, toward Cupid, who pushes a flaming torch, a symbol of passionate love, at her.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Marcantonio Raimondi

Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Galba, from The Twelve CaesarsSpeculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Galba, from The Twelve CaesHercules, grasping Antaeus at the waist with both arms and lifting him off his feet, in background at right the ruins of a temple, at left a group of trees against which are posed a club and the skin of a lionHercules, grasping Antaeus at the waist with both arms and lThe Massacre of the Innocents (Without the Fir Tree)The Massacre of the Innocents (Without the Fir Tree)Apollo on Parnassus, Surrounded by the Muses and PoetsApollo on Parnassus, Surrounded by the Muses and PoetsSpeculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Nero, from The Twelve CaesarsSpeculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Nero, from The Twelve CaesaSpeculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Vespasian, from The Twelve CaesarsSpeculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Vespasian, from The Twelve Martyrdom of Saint LawrenceMartyrdom of Saint LawrenceTwo Fauns Carrying a ChildTwo Fauns Carrying a Child

More like this

Venus, Mars and CupidMarcantonio Raimondi (Italian, 1470/82–1527/34) — Venus, MarVenus removing a thorn from her left foot while seated on a cloth beside trees and foliage, a hare eating grass before herMarco Dente|Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi)|Giovanni MarVenus removing a thorn from her left foot while seated beside trees and foliage, a hare eating grass before herMarco Dente|Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) — Venus remoVenus Wounded by a Rose's ThornMarco Dente (Italian, c. 1486–1527) — Venus Wounded by a RosVenus removing a thorn from her left foot while seated on a cloth next to trees, a hare lower rightMarco Dente|Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) — Venus remoAdam and EveAlbrecht Dürer — Adam and EveHercules at the Crossroads (Jealousy)Albrecht Dürer — Hercules at the Crossroads (Jealousy)Adam and Eve and the Expulsion from ParadiseCornelis Cort — Adam and Eve and the Expulsion from ParadiseVenus removing a thorn from her left foot while seated on a cloth beside trees and foliage, a hare eating grass before herMarco Dente|Francesco Villamena|Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio orAdam and Eve at Work, from The Story of Adam and EveHeinrich Aldegrever — Adam and Eve at Work, from The Story oThe Fall of Adam and EveHans Burgkmair (German, 1473–1531) — The Fall of Adam and EvHercules at the CrossroadAlbrecht Dürer — Hercules at the Crossroad