Mars and Venus United by Love
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Paolo Veronese was most likely commissioned by Emperor Maximilian II to create a painting of the Roman mythological gods Venus and Mars [1]. Born in Verona (where his name stems from) to a family of artists, Veronese studied the works of those before him, like Raphael and Michelangelo. During the time he painted Mars and Venus United by Love, he also created other works centered on Roman mythology, such as The Choice of Hercules, diving into the theme of Christian morality [2].
In the painting, Veronese details the union of the Roman gods Mars and Venus. Cupid, their child, binds them together with a love knot, representing the joyous and happy matrimony. Mars is depicted in his battle uniform, alluding to his role as the god of war in ancient mythology. Venus has her arm around Mars, showing affection and compassion towards her loved one, and is adorned with pearls around her neck and hair. Milk is flowing from her breasts, representing nurture and care, important aspects of love [3]. In the background, Veronese details a dark and cloudy sky with trees covering the view. Mars’s warhorse is in the back restrained and at ease with the baby cherub holding a sword. The calm horse contrasts the typical depiction of Mars as an angry god, showcasing how he can be intimate and caring for the woman he loves. Veronese incorporates classical architecture with a rusticated building and sculpture in the background, and his last name carved on the bottom, signifying that the painting is his creation. He composes this artwork by separating the main characters from the background, in order to clearly narrate this story of the ideal matrimony for the viewer. Veronese utilizes light colors when depicting Venus, highlighting her purity as an ideal wife. She is the source of brightness in the painting. Mars’s battle uniform is gold, a color of power and riches, and covered by a silk pink cloth with detailed shadows and folding. The color of the sky in the background is intricate in itself, with Veronese utilizing various shades of blue and teal, creating an almost ombré effect [4].
Paolo Veronese in his allegorical painting Mars and Venus United by Love illustrates the ideal relationship, ultimately showcasing his views on Christian morality. He highlights the key aspects of any holy matrimony, such as unity, intimacy, love, and affection. His purpose is to display to the viewer what it means to be in a healthy and loving partnership through the allegory of Mars and Venus.
[1] “Mars and Venus United by Love,” Metropolitan Museum of Art, accessed November 5, 2020, https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437891.
[2] “Paolo Veronese,” Encyclopedia Britannica, accessed November 5, 2020, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paolo-Veronese
[3] Patricia Simons, "The Incubus and Italian Renaissance Art," Source: Notes in the History of Art 34, no. 1 (2014): 8
[4] Xavier F. Salomon, "Veronese's Skies in S. Sebastiano," The Burlington Magazine 154, no. 1315 (2012): 712
Creator
Source
Crastre, Francois, and Frederic Taber Cooper. Veronese. New York, NY: Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1912.
“Mars and Venus United by Love.” Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accessed November 5, 2020. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437891.
“Paolo Veronese.” The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Accessed November 5, 2020. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Paolo-Veronese.
Rosand, David. "The Passion of Adonis." Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics 21, no. 3 (2014): 5-27.
Salomon, Xavier F. "Veronese's Skies in S. Sebastiano." The Burlington Magazine 154, no. 1315 (2012): 711-12.
Simons, Patricia. "The Incubus and Italian Renaissance Art" Source: Notes in the History of Art 34, no. 1 (2014): 1-8.
Image Source: Veronese, Paolo. Mars and Venus United by Love. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accessed November 4, 2020. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437891.
Publisher
Public Domain. Image Soruce: Veronese, Paolo. Mars and Venus United by Love. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accessed November 4, 2020. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437891.
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