Artist: Luca Giordano (Italian, 1634-1705), after.
Intermediary draughtsman: Jacques Louis Touzé (French, 1747-1807), after.
Engraver: Jean Antoine Pierron (French, c.1780-c.1812).
Title: Mars et Vénus.
Signed and Titled in plate: Peint par Giordano (Luca); Dessiné par Touzé; Gravé par Pierron. Mars et Vénus.
Dimensions: Sheet 12" x 14".
Date: 1803-1818.
Materials and Techniques: Etching and engraving on wove paper.
Provenance: The Estate of George "Yorgo" Demetrakopoulos; professor, assistant director of the Medieval Institute, and assistant to the dean at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan, from 1965-2000.
Condition: The margins, including the lower one with the stamp 'Musée Royal' are trimmed. Foxing to margins, but the image is not affected. Big tear. Professional restoration suggested. The signs of aging are appropriate for the time. A detailed condition report is available on demand.
Part of: Le Musée Royal publié par Henri Laurent, Graveur du Cabinet du Roi; ou, Recueil de Gravures d'après les Plus Belles Tableaux, Statues, et Bas-Reliefs de la Collection Royale, avec Description des Sujets, Notices Littéraires, et Discours sur les Arts. Dédié au Roi.. Paris, 1818.
Museums and Libraries: The British Museum 1853,1008.183.
Art Movements, Periods & Schools: French School XIX C. Italian School XVII C.
Notes:
- Engraved after a painting which is now in the Louvre.
- In the Metamorphoses, the Roman author Ovid tells the story of Vulcan discovering the adultery of his wife Venus and her lover Mars. Vulcan fashioned a fine iron net to catch the pair in bed and publicly expose them to the other gods.
Acknowledgement: This entry incorporates text from Wikipedia and the catalog entry of a similar item from the British Museum collection.