Mars and Venus n.d.

Jacob Toorenvliet rendered this drawing of Mars and Venus with graphite and gray wash on paper. The artist’s choice to depict this subject matter comes from a long history in Western art of representing mythological figures to convey messages about power, love, and beauty. Toorenvliet engages with these themes by presenting us with an intimate scene of the god of war, Mars, alongside Venus, the goddess of love. Traditionally, Mars is a figure of masculine strength and authority, but here, he is partially disarmed, his helmet pushed back, and he appears to be in gentle conversation with Venus. They are accompanied by a child who could be Cupid. The softness of the graphite and gray wash lends an intimate quality to the scene, suggesting a moment of peace and reflection. This drawing allows us to reflect on the complexities of love and war, and the ways they intersect.