Venus and Cupid in a Chariot 1615 - 1617

Guercino rendered "Venus and Cupid in a Chariot" using pen and brown ink, with brown wash over traces of black chalk, during a time of strict social and religious norms in Italy. The drawing depicts Venus, the goddess of love, and her son Cupid, riding in a chariot seemingly pulled by the clouds. Consider the gendered expectations placed on women during the 17th century and how mythological representations either reinforced or challenged these norms. Here, Venus embodies both divine power and maternal tenderness. The use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and movement, drawing the viewer into the intimate scene between mother and son. Ask yourself, how does the artist use classical imagery to explore themes of love, beauty, and power? How might this depiction reflect or subvert the social values of Guercino’s time? The drawing invites you to reflect on the complex interplay between classical ideals and the lived realities of gender and identity in the 17th century.