Venus and Mars Warned by Mercury
Artist: Bartholomeus Spranger (Flemish, 1546-1611)
Date: c. 1586-1587
Medium: Oil painting
Collection: Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Austria
Description
"Venus and Mars, Warned by Mercury" depicts the Roman gods Venus (goddess of love), Mars (god of war), and Mercury (messenger god), where Mercury is interrupting a passionate embrace between Venus and Mars, effectively warning them of the dangers of their unchecked desire and the potential for conflict it could bring.













