Venus straft Amor c. 1530 - 1560

"Venus straft Amor" (Venus Punishes Cupid), a print dating back to c. 1530 - 1560, was created by the enigmatic "Meester van de Dobbelsteen", whose true identity remains unknown. This artwork, part of the Rijksmuseum's collection, depicts Venus, goddess of love, chastising Cupid, her son, for his mischievous behavior. The print is an exquisite example of Northern Renaissance printmaking, with its detailed linework and emphasis on anatomy. The scene captures the dramatic tension between mother and son, as Venus, in a gesture of righteous anger, raises her hand towards Cupid, who lies contritely on a bed, a quiver of arrows discarded nearby. The scene's intimate setting, a draped canopy bed, contrasts with the grand gesture of Venus's punishment, highlighting the power dynamics between mother and son.