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Vénus et Cupidon

Lorenzo Lotto Italian

Milieu des années 1520

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 608

Pour peindre cette œuvre, Lorenzo Lotto, génie anticonformiste de la Renaissance vénitienne, puisa dans les poèmes classiques de mariage. Il s’agit d’ailleurs vraisemblablement du thème de ce tableau. Vénus a peut-être même les traits de la mariée. Le coquillage au-dessus de sa tête et les pétales de rose sur son corps sont les attributs traditionnels de la déesse. Le lierre évoque la fidélité conjugale, et la couronne de myrte ainsi que le brûle-parfum qui y est suspendu symbolisent la chambre nuptiale. Vénus porte les boucles d’oreilles et le diadème d’une mariée du XVI^e siècle. Le geste de Cupidon qui urine à grand jet à travers la couronne est un présage de fertilité qui ajoute une légère touche d’humour à cette image à caractère très intime.

Venus and Cupid, Lorenzo Lotto (Italian, Venice ca. 1480–1556 Loreto), Oil on canvas — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Venus and Cupid, Lorenzo Lotto (Italian, Venice ca. 1480–1556 Loreto), Oil on canvas

Venus and Cupid, Lorenzo Lotto (Italian, Venice ca. 1480–1556 Loreto), Oil on canvas

Venus and Cupid, Lorenzo Lotto (Italian, Venice ca. 1480–1556 Loreto), Oil on canvas

Venus and Cupid, Lorenzo Lotto (Italian, Venice ca. 1480–1556 Loreto), Oil on canvas

Venus and Cupid, Lorenzo Lotto (Italian, Venice ca. 1480–1556 Loreto), Oil on canvas

Venus and Cupid, Lorenzo Lotto (Italian, Venice ca. 1480–1556 Loreto), Oil on canvas

Venus and Cupid, Lorenzo Lotto (Italian, Venice ca. 1480–1556 Loreto), Oil on canvas

Venus and Cupid, Lorenzo Lotto (Italian, Venice ca. 1480–1556 Loreto), Oil on canvas

Venus and Cupid, Lorenzo Lotto (Italian, Venice ca. 1480–1556 Loreto), Oil on canvas

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

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Fig. 1. Line engraving (from Salomon Reinach, "Répertoire de peintures du moyen age et de la renaissance (1280–1580)," Paris, vol. 4, 1918, p. 652)

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Fig. 2. Plate from Cesare Vecellio, "Habiti antichi et moderni," Venice, 1598

Fig. 3. Plate from Francesco Colonna, "Hypnerotomachia Poliphili," Venice, 1499

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Fig. 4. Before cleaning (from Bernard Berenson, "Lotto," 3rd ed., Milan, 1955, pl. 258)

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Fig. 5. Painting in frame: overall

Fig. 6. Painting in frame: corner

Fig. 7. Painting in frame: angled corner

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Fig. 8. Profile drawing of frame. W 6 9/16 in. 16.6 cm (T. Newbery)

Titre: Vénus et Cupidon

Artiste: Lorenzo Lotto, Italien, v. 1480–1556

Date: Milieu des années 1520

Technique: Huile sur toile

Dimensions: 92,4 x 111,4 cm

Crédits: Achat, don de M^meCharles Wrightsman, en l'honneur de Marietta Tree, 1986

Accession Number: 1986.138

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