Venus and Cupid c. 1529

"Venus and Cupid," by the Monogrammist HB with the Griffin's Head, depicts the Roman goddess of love, Venus, and her son, Cupid, in a lush, dark forest setting. This oil on panel painting, circa 1529, showcases the artist's ability to render human figures with realistic detail, particularly the goddess's soft, fleshy form, her red hair, and the childlike features of Cupid. This work, currently at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, is a captivating example of the artistic trends in 16th-century Northern Europe, combining elements of both Renaissance and Mannerist style.