Antique Miniature Painting Venus and Cupid Wounded after Bartolozzi C 1870

We are delighted to offer our antique art lovers this wonderful little hand painted scene. This Victorian circular miniature painting Gouache on vellum/parchment depicts the classical mythological scene known as Cupid Wounded. We see Venus comforting Cupid after he was stung by a Bee, you can see the guilty Roses in the foreground. The scene illustrates a classic mythological tale of the infant Cupid who been stung by a bee while attempting to steal honey or has inadvertently pricked himself with one of his own arrows. Distressed and in pain, he turns to his mother, Venus (the goddess of love), who consoles him while gently pointing out the irony that his own small arrows inflict far greater, more painful wounds of love on humans. In the background a pair of Doves (the symbol of Venus).  The far background shows a coastal landscape with an island across the water, referencing Venus's mythological birth from the sea. The scene was inspired by the 18th-century engraving of Venus and Cupid by Francesco Bartolozzi (1727-1815); who in turn was inspired by Venus and Cupid by Adrien van der Werff (1659 to 1722) held by the Wallace Collection.

The detailing on our painting is exceptional. Just study the costume detailing, the hair band or Diadem on the head of Venus, her double row of pearls! We particularly love her Roman sandals.  

Housed behind glass in a 19^th century gilded circular frame. It is ready to hang on your wall, or display on your desk/shelf.

Size: Frame 4 5/8 inch (11.5 cm). Aperture 3 3/8 inch (8.5 cm)

Condition: Very good, this is a genuine 19^th C painting. There is rippling/undulation to the vellum. A small arc of foliage fading to the top of the painting (between 10 and 12 o’clock) where it has slipped at some point in its current frame. Some trapped detritus under the glass.

Item ID:16838