Venus and Cupid 1600 - 1625

Joseph Limosin created this enameled plaque depicting Venus and Cupid sometime between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. During this period, the revival of classical art and mythology offered artists an opportunity to explore themes of love, beauty, and desire, often through a male gaze that objectified women. In this context, Limosin's plaque is intriguing. Venus, the Roman goddess of love, stands nude, while Cupid, her son, playfully tugs at her. Yet, instead of merely presenting a scene of classical beauty, the artwork hints at the complexities of the mother-son relationship. The overt display of the goddess's body and Cupid's gesture challenge the traditional boundaries of classical representation and perhaps even societal norms around female sexuality and motherhood. The plaque invites us to consider not only the aesthetic appeal of classical figures but also the underlying dynamics of power, desire, and identity that shape our understanding of such images. What does it mean to see Venus through the eyes of her son, and how does this perspective alter our own gaze?