Love in the Elysian Fields

In this engraving Cupid is shown being punished by those he tormented, a popular subject of Hellenistic art and literature revived in the Renaissance. Bound to a tree in the Elysian Fields, a dwelling place for the virtuous dead, Cupid is watched by the laughing souls of lovers as Venus descends from the sky to beat him with a bouquet of flowers in retribution for the great pain that passion often inflicts. According to the verses on the rock at left, after being whipped Cupid will be set free to escape again "to this world where he triumphs over us."