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Venus and Mars Embracing as Vulcan Works at His Forge

Enea Vico Italian
1543
Not on view
The beautiful Venus was oddly matched to the lame blacksmith Vulcan (the Greek Hephaistos), a virtuosic metalworker who forged Cupid's potent arrows as well as the elaborate armor of the gods and heroes. When the smith learned of his wife's long-running love affair with Mars (the Greek Ares), he retaliated by fashioning a net of iron so fine that it could not be seen and laying it over a bed to trap the lovers in an embrace. This print seems to depict Vulcan crafting the invisible links, while Venus and Mars continue, oblivious to his presence.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Venus and Mars Embracing as Vulcan Works at His Forge
  • Artist: Enea Vico (Italian, Parma 1523–1567 Ferrara)
  • Artist: After Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola) (Italian, Parma 1503–1540 Casalmaggiore)
  • Published in: Rome
  • Date: 1543
  • Medium: Engraving
  • Dimensions: Sheet: 9 1/16 x 12 7/8 in. (23 x 32.7 cm)
  • Classification: Prints
  • Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1949
  • Object Number: 49.97.351
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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