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Cupid Complaining to Venus
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
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.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineCupid Complaining to Venus, c. 1540–46. Peter Flötner (German, 1485–1546). Lead; overall: 6.8 x 9.2 cm (2 11/16 x 3 5/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund, 1984.15
