Cupid with Weapons of Mars 1542 - 1567

Adamo Scultori created this engraving, "Cupid with Weapons of Mars", in Italy during the late 16th century. It depicts Cupid, the god of love, struggling to carry the heavy armor and weapons typically associated with Mars, the god of war. This image plays on the familiar visual codes of classical mythology to perhaps offer a commentary on the social structures of its time. It could be argued that the artwork critiques the institutions of art itself, by undermining the heroic and martial themes that were often celebrated in Renaissance art. To fully understand Scultori’s intentions, we must consider the socio-political context of 16th-century Italy, using resources such as historical texts and scholarly articles. By examining the institutional history of art production during that period, we can better understand the public role of art and the politics of imagery.