Mars, Venus and Cupid

Jean Mignon, c. 1543 - c. 1545

In the early 1540s Jean Mignon worked as a painter in the palace of the French king in Fontainebleau. He also made etchings there, mostly after drawings by the Italian artist Luca Penni. Here he depicts a classical subject: Mars lovingly embracing Venus. Remarkably, in this interpretation Mars looks straight at us while caressing Venus’ bosom.

  • Artwork typeprint
  • Object numberRP-P-2018-1962
  • Dimensionsheight 285 mm x width 293 mm
  • Physical characteristicsets