Sandro Botticelli: "Venus and Mars." The painting shows Venus resting
contentedly. Little satyrs honk horns and play about
Mars, as he sleeps, unaware.
Click image for larger gif (53.4K GIF)
Image courtesy of the Trustees, The National Gallery,
London
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Venus was
the goddess of love and beauty.
With her exquisite features and pleasant smile she
attracted many suitors, gods and mortals alike.
She was married to the graceless and lame Vulcan, the
god of fire. Her true love was
Mars, the god of war.
Their child was the beautiful goddess
Harmonia.
One day while Venus and Mars lay together
they were caught in an invisible but strong net forged by
Vulcan, who cried out when the lovers had been ensnared:
"Jupiter and all you immortals! Come quickly and see this
intolerable thing, worthy of your laughter. Because I am
lame Venus despises me. She loves the cruel Mars because he
is agile and handsome. See them both bound together in their
adultery, for these cords will keep them so bound until Jupiter
returns the gifts I made him in order to obtain this impudent
wench who cannot restrain her lust!"
The gods laughed
uncontrollably.
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