Venus Giving Arms to Aeneas
1704
Medium
Terracotta and painted wood
Dimensions
H. 41-9/16 in. (108 cm)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture
French, Paris
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931
Accession Number
32.100.158
Tags
Art Historical Context
In the grand tradition of French Baroque sculpture, Jean Cornu's *Venus Giving Arms to Aeneas (1704) captures pivotal moment from Virgil's *Aeneid*. The goddess Venus, mother of the Trojan hero Aeneas, presents him with divine armor forged by Vulcan, symbolizing maternal protection and destiny's call as Aeneas founds Rome. Often accompanied by the mischievous Cupid, this mythological scene reflects the era's fascination with classical epics, blending heroism with tender familial bonds. Crafted from terracotta—fired clay prized for its malleability and expressive surfaces—and painted wood for ...