Possibly Cupid preparing Venus for an Amorous Encounter with Mars
Antonio Zucchi, RA (Venice 1726 - Rome 1796)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1773
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1010 x 860 mm
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire
NT 960077.1
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Possibly Cupid preparing Venus for an Amorous Encounter with Mars, previously erroneously called Angelica and Medoro: Angelica presented with Armour, by Antonio Zucchi, RA (Venice 1726 – Rome 1796), circa 1773. Classical scene two women, Venus and a maidservant holding a suit of armour, and with Cupid undoing Venus's buskin. Mars, who is not to be seen has already taken off his slippers and armour, and Venus is pointing to the bed. One of a set of six over-door paintings by Antonio Zucchi.
Provenance
Commissioned from Antonio Zucchi by Sir Rowland Winn, 5th Bt (1739-1785); sent to Nostell Priory circa 1773; thence by descent; accepted in lieu of tax by HM Treasury and transferred to the National Trust in 1986.
Credit line
Nostell Priory, The St Oswald Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
On support: Chalk inscription at top right area reads:“SITTING ROOM 1” and at the top left area: “OVER DOOR R” Lower central stretcher bar: Paper label at lower central stretcher bar reads: “Nostell Priory:No 23, Artist: Angelica Kauffmann, Subject: Angelica & Medoro (V)”
Makers and roles
Antonio Zucchi, RA (Venice 1726 - Rome 1796), artist Thomas Chippendale (Otley 1718 - London 1779) , framemaker
References
Sands 2011: Frances Sands, 'The Art of Collaboration: Antonio Zucchi at Nostell Priory', The Georgian Group Journal, vol.XIX, 2011, pp.106-119