Minerva Giving to Venus a Bridle to Curb Cupid
Artist
Otto van Veen
(Netherlandish, 1556 - 1629)
CultureDutch
Date1556-1629
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsOverall: 64 x 101 in. (162.6 x 256.5 cm)
Credit LineA gift of Adrianne and Edwin Joseph
Object number2001.38.3
Not on view
DescriptionThis is an oil on canvas painting of pagan gods and goddesses. At the center of the composition is Venus, goddess of love, whose son Cupid curls up beside her. Venus has thrown her purple cloak upon the ground to enjoy the company of Ceres (a buxom peasant holding a shaft of wheat), Bacchus (peering over Ceres' shoulder and holding a bunch of grapes) and Silenus (an amorous figure whose ample flesh is a testament to his indulgence in Ceres' fruits and Bacchus's wine). On the right, Saturn appears as the emblem of Time, and at his side is Minerva, representing wisdom, hands a bridle to Venus so that she might restrain herself from the temptations of Ceres, Silenus and Bacchus.ProvenancePrivate collection; Sotheby Parke Bernet, New York, December 3, 1974, lot 44; Edwin and Adrianne Joseph, 1974-2001; Gift of Edwin and Adrianne Joseph to the Chrysler Museum of Art, 2001.
