Cleveland Museum of Art

Cupid Complaining to Venus

Peter Flötner

Date

c. 1540–46

Medium

lead

Culture

Germany, Nuremberg

Department

European Painting and Sculpture

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This plaquette interprets an ancient Greek poem by Theocritus. Having been stung by a swarm of bees after attempting to steal their honey, Cupid sought refuge in the arms of his mother Venus, the goddess of love. Surprised that such small creatures could cause such great pain, Venus reminded Cupid, that like the sting of a bee, love’s arrow could be dangerous.

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