Artwork
Venus, Mars und Vulkan
Venus, Mars und Vulkan is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Hans Rottenhammer. It dates from 1605 and is held in the collection of the Alte Pinakothek.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a mythological scene featuring the goddess Venus, the god Mars, and the smith Vulcan.
The painting depicts a mythological scene featuring the goddess Venus, the god Mars, and the smith Vulcan. Created by Hans Rottenhammer in 1605, the work belongs to the genre of mythological painting. The composition centers on the interaction between these three classical figures, illustrating the narrative of Venus's affair with Mars and her husband Vulcan's discovery or reaction to the infidelity.
As a work of mythology, the piece serves to visualize this specific episode from ancient lore, using the figures to represent themes of love, war, and craftsmanship.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on copper, the painting measures 31 × 38 cm and belongs to the cabinet-format tradition of the period. Rottenhammer’s handling is characterized by fine, controlled brushwork and a polished, enamel-like surface typical of copper supports, which allow for sharp detail and luminous color. The composition juxtaposes mythological figures with decorative still-life elements, Venus and Mars centrally placed against a brocaded backdrop, while Vulcan appears in the lower left, framed by an anvil and tools.
The palette favors warm, jewel-like tones, with cool flesh accents and gilt highlights that enhance the relief-like modeling of the figures.
History & Provenance
The mythological painting Venus, Mars und Vulkan was created by the artist Hans Rottenhammer in 1605. The work depicts the classical figures Venus, Mars, and Vulcan. It currently resides within the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections, where it is housed at the Alte Pinakothek.
The painting is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, where it is inventoried as part of the state holdings.
It was first recorded in the collection by 1605, the year of its creation.
Overview
Hans Rottenhammer’s 1605 painting Venus, Mars und Vulkan presents a compact, mythological tableau rendered in the early Baroque idiom. Executed on copper, the work measures only a few centimeters across, yet it conveys a richly detailed scene that brings together three Roman deities within an intimate interior setting.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Rottenhammer, or Hans Rottenhammer (1564 – 14 August 1625), was a German painter. He specialized in highly finished paintings on a small scale.
