Minerva Giving to Venus a Bridle to Curb Cupid

Artist Otto van Veen (Netherlandish, 1556 - 1629)

Date1556-1629

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsOverall: 64 x 101 in. (162.6 x 256.5 cm)

ClassificationsEuropean art

Credit LineA gift of Adrianne and Edwin Joseph

Object number2001.38.3

Terms

Women
Men
Love
Mythology
White
Black
Red
Tan
Yellow
Pink
Gray
Green
Classic

On View

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.