Venus and Cupid

Lucas Cranach the Elder

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a woman standing in a classical contrapposto position. She looks down at a small winged child beside her, often identified as a cherub or Cupid, who holds a bow and arrow. The woman's hair is styled in an intricate updo with vine-like elements, and she wears a necklace. She holds a piece of draped fabric or cloth in one hand. Around her, there is a tree with hanging coats of arms and branches reaching up. In the background, there is a hilly landscape with architectural structures like buildings or ruins, and clusters of clouds in the sky. The scene is primarily in red ink on a light-colored background, highlighting the intricate linework defining the forms.