Venus and Cupid

Venus, the goddess of love and fertility, is shown affectionately kissing her son Cupid, the god of love. Venus wears a gem-stone girdle, pearl earrings and Roman matron headdress, an elaborate style of headdress that was often found in classical sculpture. The artist’s handling of paint makes the two figures appear smooth and almost sculptural. Their bodies appear all the more three-dimensional for being set against a dark background. 

Born to a prosperous family, Paggi was encouraged to take up painting by fellow artist Luca Cambiaso (1527–85). Under uncertain circumstances, Paggi was forced to flee his hometown of Genoa to Florence in 1579.