Who created "Venus Marina, Cupid at Her Side"?

Venus Marina, Cupid at Her Side was created by Benedetto Pistrucci in ca. 1820–30.

When was "Venus Marina, Cupid at Her Side" created?

This artwork was created ca. 1820–30.

What medium is "Venus Marina, Cupid at Her Side"?

Venus Marina, Cupid at Her Side is Onyx, gold.

Is "Venus Marina, Cupid at Her Side" in the public domain?

Yes, Venus Marina, Cupid at Her Side is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Venus Marina, Cupid at Her Side

Benedetto Pistrucci

ca. 1820–30

Medium

Onyx, gold

Dimensions

Visible cameo, overall: 1 13/16 x 1 3/16 in. (4.5 x 3 cm), 45.3 x 30 mm; Overall (in setting): 2 1/4 x 1 3/4 in. (5.7 x 4.4 cm)

Classification

Lapidary Work-Gems

Culture

British, London

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

The Milton Weil Collection, 1940

Accession Number

40.20.49

Tags

CupidVenus

Art Historical Context

Behold *Venus Marina, Cupid at Her Side*, exquisite cameo crafted by Benedetto Pistrucci 1820–30. This Italian-born engraver, who flourished in London’s vibrant artistic scene, captures the goddess of love emerging from the sea, with her son Cupid playfully at her side. Carved from onyx—a layered gemstone prized for its contrasting white relief against dark background—the intimate 1 13/16 x 1 3/16-inch visible cameo showcases Pistrucci’s mastery of lapidary work, a technique rooted in ancient Roman and Renaissance traditions but revived in the neoclassical era. Set in gold, this jewel-sized p...

About the Artist

Benedetto Pistrucci · 1783–1855

Italian, 1783–1855, active England

Venus Marina, Cupid at Her Side

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