Loading
Cupid Complaining to Venus
Peter Flötner (German, 1485–1546)c. 1540–1546
The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States
This plaquette interprets an ancient Greek poem by Theocritus. Having been stung by a swarm of bees after attempting to steal their honey, Cupid sought refuge in the arms of his mother Venus, the goddess of love. Surprised that such small creatures could cause such great pain, Venus reminded Cupid, that like the sting of a bee, love’s arrow could be dangerous.
Download this artwork (provided by The Cleveland Museum of Art).
Learn more about this artwork.
Details
- Title: Cupid Complaining to Venus
- Creator: Peter Flötner (German, 1485–1546)
- Date Created: c. 1540–1546
- Physical Dimensions: Overall: 6.8 x 9.2 cm (2 11/16 x 3 5/8 in.)
- Provenance: Probably Max Rosenheim, 1849-1911 (Vienna, Austria) and/or Maurice Rosenheim, died 1922 (England)., Cyril Humphris, Ltd. (London, England)., Blumka Gallery (New York, New York), sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art, 1984.
- Type: Sculpture
- Rights: CC0
- External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1984.15
- Medium: lead
- Department: European Painting and Sculpture
- Culture: Germany, Nuremberg, 16th century
- Credit Line: Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
- Collection: Sculpture
- Accession Number: 1984.15
Get the app
Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.