Pompeo Batoni. Venus and Cupid, 1785

"Venus and Cupid" is one of the late works of the Roman painter Pompeo Batoni, painted two years before his death. Batoni was one of the most brilliant artists of his time, sought after by noble patrons from all over Europe. He painted this picture on commission from Prince Nikolai Borisovich Yusupov.

In Rome, Yusupov had personal contacts with many of the artists working there and bought works by Batoni during his visits. According to the museum's scholarly volume, in 1784 and 1785 the master painted two companion pictures for the prince: "Venus Punishing Cupid", which is kept at Arkhangelskoye, and "Venus with Doves", now in the Odessa Museum of Western and Oriental Art. Yusupov bought another canvas by Batoni, "Hercules at the Crossroads", in the early 1820s; it is now in the Hermitage.

Oil on canvas.