Scholarly debate Venus, Cupid, Folly and Time
venus , cupid detail.
crowded claustrophobic foreground of painting several figures identities have been subject of extensive scholarly debate. @ times has been called triumph of venus. meaning, however, remains elusive. cupid, along mother (venus) , nude putto, right, posed in typical mannerist figura serpentinata form.
the 2 central figures identified attributes venus , cupid. example, holds golden apple won in judgement of paris, while sports characteristic wings , quiver. both figures nude, illuminated in radiant white light. cupid fondles mother s bare breast , kisses lips.
the bearded, bald figure upper right of scene believed time, in view of hourglass behind him. sweeps arm forcefully out right. again, difficult interpret gesture certainty; prevent figure @ far left of picture shielding incestuous transgressions of venus , adolescent cupid billowing blue fabric provides screen between figures in fore , background. many scholars believe gesture seems time fleeting, , never know when may over. figure opposite time, , grasping @ drapery, called oblivion because of lack of substance form—eyeless sockets , mask-like head. mask-like face of figure echoed image of 2 actual masks in lower right-hand corner.
there folly, right of venus , cupid.
the identity of remaining figures more ambiguous. old woman rending hair (see detail @ right) has been called jealousy—though believe represent ravaging effects of syphilis (result of unwise intercourse). creature @ right-hand side behind folly, girl s face , disjointed, grotesque body, extending honeycomb left hand attached right arm, , hiding behind scorpion s barb, may represent pleasure , fraud. there is, however, no consensus on these identifications.
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