Mars, Vénus et Cupidon

Guercino painted this in 1633 while working at the court of Duke Francesco I d'Este, who had summoned him to portray the ruling family. The duke also set him to decorating a room in the palace at Sassuolo that was later called the Chamber of Dreams, and this canvas belonged to that scheme. The story is love catching everyone off guard. Venus leans toward her son Cupid and guides his aim, and the arrow points straight out of the picture at whoever stands before it, so you become the target. Beside them Mars, the war god and Venus's lover, pulls back in alarm at how easily love overrides him. Guercino was paid the last of his fee, 126 scudi, in January 1634.