Venus with Cupid Whittling His Bow

Art Historical Context

Odoardo Fialetti’s *Venus with Cupid Whittling His Bow* (c. 1617) captures a tender, intimate moment between the Roman goddess of love and her mischievous son. Rendered as a delicate etching on laid paper, the small print—just under seven inches tall—invites close viewing. Fialetti, a Venetian artist active in the early seventeenth century, uses fine, fluid lines to depict Venus guiding the young Cupid as he shapes his famous bow, transforming a familiar mythological pair into a quiet domestic scene. Etching was prized in this period for its ability to convey subtle textures and movement with remarkable precision, allowing artists to share classical stories with a growing audience of collectors. Fialetti’s graceful composition reflects the lingering influence of late Renaissance draftsmanship while embracing the emerging Baroque interest in everyday gestures and emotional warmth. Acquired by the National Gallery of Art through the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund, this print exemplifies how seventeenth-century etchers blended mythology with human charm, making ancient tales feel both timeless and approachable.

About the Artist

Odoardo Fialetti · 1573–1638

Comment on works: Painter; Etcher