Probabile manifattura francese del XIX secolo

At the center of the composition, the goddess of beauty—nude and partially veiled—tenderly embraces the god of war, who is depicted here as a young warrior, with his cuirass and helmet resting at his feet. On the right, a small winged putto (Cupid) observes the scene, holding a garland of flowers—a symbol of love’s triumph over the harshness of war.

In terms of form, the drawing displays an academic rigor rooted in Classicism, evident in the masterful anatomical rendering of the figures and the smooth, polished quality of Venus’s skin. This contrasts with the darker tones of Mars’s garments and armor, placing the work firmly within the tradition of 19th-century European Neoclassicism.

Provenance:

Casa Santangelo Collection, Naples

* minor damage is reported