Cupid Complaining to Venus

Description

This plaquette interprets an ancient Greek poem by Theocritus. Having been stung by a swarm of bees after attempting to steal their honey, Cupid sought refuge in the arms of his mother Venus, the goddess of love. Surprised that such small creatures could cause such great pain, Venus reminded Cupid, that like the sting of a bee, love’s arrow could be dangerous.

Provenance

Probably Max Rosenheim, 1849-1911 (Vienna, Austria) and/or Maurice Rosenheim, died 1922 (England).; Cyril Humphris, Ltd. (London, England).; Blumka Gallery (New York, New York), sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art, 1984.

Cupid Complaining to Venus

Peter Flötner

c. 1540–46

Accession Number

1984.15

Medium

lead

Dimensions

Overall: 6.8 x 9.2 cm (2 11/16 x 3 5/8 in.)

Classification

Sculpture

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund