Venus and Mars- Veronese

     This piece is part of a series of seven paintings commissioned by Emperor Rudolf II of Prague. The pieces were executed between 1576 and 1584. All of the pieces are allegorical and mythological in nature. It is suspected that Rudolf II was mentally ill and possibly schizophrenic. This may be the cause of the series' seemingly obsessive interest in sexuality, but I'm not personally convinced that mental illness is necessarily the reason for a man's interest in female nudity and sensuality.

     I found this piece initially interesting due to the strange pose of Venus and the gentle rendering of Mars. Mars is the God of war and due to his universal cruelty, is hated by all. The exception to his cruelty can be found in Venus, who he falls in love with. He isn't a popular subject in art with the exception of sometimes being depicted as a war enthusiast who is tamed by love.

     Homer was the fist to write about the adultery between Mars and Venus. Mars was promptly punished by a jealous husband. In the renaissance this became a popular subject for allegorists. The simple anecdote was used to express the moral of love conquering even the most brutal man.

     Cupid joins the two in a knot of love. Mars is made docile by this bond. 

     I find the color scheme of this piece to be memorizing. It seems to achieve coolness and warmth simultaneously. I can't decide which one is dominate. 

Peter Watson, Wisdom and Strength, (New York: Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, 1989).