Venus and Cupid 17th century

This pastel drawing by Rosalba Carriera, a renowned Italian artist of the 17th century, depicts Venus and Cupid. The oval-shaped artwork showcases the classical Roman goddess of love, Venus, cradling Cupid, the god of love and desire. The delicate pastel tones highlight the tenderness and intimacy between the two figures, a recurring theme in Carriera's works. This small-scale drawing, now housed in the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, exemplifies Carriera's mastery of pastel, which she used to achieve soft transitions and nuanced shading.