The Wrath of Mars Checked by Venus

Andrea Appiani

Download hi-res image TITLE The Wrath of Mars Checked by Venus
AUTHOR Andrea Appiani
DATE 1790 - 5
OBJECT TYPE AND MATERIAL Oil on canvas
DIMENSIONS cm 81 x 112
INVENTORY 7383
ROOM XXXVII
Work on display

The paintings, inspired by 17th century poet Giovanbattista Marino’s Adonis, depict the Stories of Mars and Venus in two pairs of matching works and take on a dramatic tone in the two pictures completing the set. This one shows Venus attempting to prevent the jealous Mars from wreaking vengeance. All the episodes are classicising in feel, imbued with a sense of measure and balance, the central, almost sculptural group standing out against a background dominated by the nuanced greens of the landscape and the pinks of the sunset.