Mars, Venus, and Cupid, Lucas Huygensz van Leyden | Mia

Mars, Venus, and Cupid, Lucas Huygensz van Leyden — Mars, Venus, and Cupid, 1530
Lucas Huygensz van Leyden
Engraving
Gift of Herschel V. Jones, 1926 P.10,634
Not on View
By 1529, Lucas was influenced by Italian Renaissance art with its emphasis on monumental form. He became obsessed with the human figure depicted in bold form and confident pose. The engraving Mars, Venus and Cupid is typical of Lucas's late manner with its classicizing, sculpturesque nudes. The sensitive control of light and shade, plasticity of form and animated surface reflect the influence of the German master Albrecht Dürer and the Flemish painter Jan Gossaert called Mabuse, who were both influenced by Raphael and the Italian engraver Marcantonio Raimondi.

Thematically, the composition is an allegory of love and strife. Venus expresses inner union and accord with the seductive gaze and posture of a temptress. In contrast, Mars represents disunity and discord bearing his sword and peering at the viewer. The sphere depicted in the left of the composition alludes to domination and instability --a love that is unsure. In essence, Lucas's composition is a moralizing comment on the sin of carnal love and adultery.

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Details

Title: Mars, Venus, and Cupid
Dated: 1530
Artist: Lucas Huygensz van Leyden
Nationality: Dutch
Artist Life: c. 1490 - 1533
Role: Artist
Gallery: Not on View
Department: European Art
Dimension: 7 3/8 x 9 5/8 in. (18.73 x 24.45 cm) (image, trimmed within platemark)
Credit: Gift of Herschel V. Jones, 1926
Accession Number: P.10,634
Medium: Engraving
Country: Netherlands
Century: 16th century
Provenance: Pierre Mariette (L. 1789); F. Rechberger (L>2133); Albertina Dupl.
Rights: Public Domain
Classification: Prints
Catalogue Raisonne: B.137, 411; H.137 i/iv; V.122
Wikipedia: Cite this information
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Curator Approved: This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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