The goddess Venus was a Roman goddess of love and beauty. In many ways she was like the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite, and the two have been confused since antiquity.
Venus was also the goddess of wild strawberries, and strawberries today are often used in love charms and spells because of their sacred association with love and sexual desire.
In art, Venus and Aphrodite share the same traits. The love goddesses are beautiful and sexual, but only Venus is surrounded by the infant god Cupid. However, it was Aphrodite who was born of the sea, and so we see many classical paintings showing both Cupid and the sea, combining the strengths of both of these popular goddesses.
The Birth of Venus by Alexandre Cabanel (1863)
Here we sea the beautiful Venus surrounded by Cupids. She is on the sea which was the birthplace of Aphrodite.
Sleeping Venus by Giorgione (1508)
A beautiful sleeping Venus.
Venus and Cupid, the Honey Thief by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1525)
Here is a slender version of Venus. Cupid is holding a honey comb and had been stung by a bee. The painting shows us that pleasure is always mixed with pain.
The Toilet of Venus by Diego Velazquez (1647-1651)
Cupid, portrayed as a young boy, is holding a mirror up to Venus so that she may gaze upon her own beauty.
Venus and Mars by Sandro Botticelli (1483)
The goddess of love is seen here with her husband, Mars, the god of war.
Toilet of Venus by Peter Paul Rubens (1612 – 1615)
Venus gazing at us with her mirror.
The Return from War: Mars Disarmed by Venus by Peter Paul Rubens and Jan Brueghel the Elder (1610-1612)
Upon his return from war, Venus removes his helmet. Mars is mesmerized by the goddess of love and is absently dropping his sword to pursue his passion.
The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli (1483-1485)
Perhaps the most popular painting of Venus, this image actually shows the symbolism associated with the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.
Venus and Adonis by Paolo Veronese (1580)
Here again we see Venus and Aphrodite blended together. Adonis was the mortal lover of Aphrodite and beside her is Cupid, associate with Venus.
An Allegory with Venus and Time by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1754-1758)
In this painting we see the beautiful Venus on a cloud. In the distance are the Three Graces. Cupids attend to Love and Time.
