Venus in Vulcan's Forge 1610

Bartholomeus Spranger's "Venus in Vulcan's Forge" (1610) is a depiction of the Roman god Vulcan, the blacksmith of the gods, working in his forge while being watched by Venus, the goddess of love. The scene is filled with symbolic details: Cupid, the god of love, is shown in the foreground with a bow and arrows, while Vulcan is surrounded by tools of his trade. This striking work showcases Spranger's mastery of the Mannerist style, evident in the elongated figures, dramatic lighting, and intricate composition. The painting is located in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria.