Venus and Cupid
1506
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1506
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Venus and Cupid is a 1506 ink by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This woodcut shows a naked woman standing tall with one hand on her hip. Behind her, a small boy with wings reaches up toward her. The background has a wobbly cityscape and swirling clouds, like a dreamy landscape. The woman’s pose and the boy’s wings are classic signs of Venus and Cupid from old myths. The date "1506" is carved into the print, showing when it was made. Next, check out the technique: woodcut to see how this print was carved.
