Venus with Cupid Stealing Honey

Venus with Cupid Stealing Honey

Title

Venus with Cupid Stealing Honey

[Statens Museum for Kunst, revised 2013]

Painting on beech wood

Medium

Painting on beech wood

[Klein, Report 2013]

A naked lady stands in the middle (Venus) and at her right side stands a little boy with wings (Cupido). In his right hand he holds some honey. The background of the painting consists of trees, a village and some mountains.

[Statens Museum for Kunst, revised 2013]

Attribution
Lucas Cranach the Elder

Attribution

Lucas Cranach the Elder

[Exhib. Cat. Gotha 2015, No. 60]
[Statens Museum for Kunst, revised 2013]
[Exhib. Cat. Hamburg 2003, No. 63]

Production date
1530

Production date

1530

[dated]

Dimensions
Dimensions of support: 58.0 x 38.0 cm

Dimensions

  • Dimensions of support: 58.0 x 38.0 cm

  • Dimensions including frame: 68.5 x 49.5 cm

  • [Statens Museum for Kunst, revised 2013]

Signature / Dating

Artist's insignia at the bottom right: winged serpent with elevated wings facing left and dated '1530'; in black paint

Signature / Dating

  • Artist's insignia at the bottom right: winged serpent with elevated wings facing left and dated '1530'; in black paint

  • [Statens Museum for Kunst, revised 2013]

Owner
Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen
Repository
Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen
Location
Copenhagen
CDA ID
DK_SMK_KMSsp719
FR (1978) Nr.
FR244
Persistent Link
https://lucascranach.org/en/DK_SMK_KMSsp719/

Provenance

  • 1710: listed in the Gottorf inventory
  • 1759: transferred from Gottorf castle to the Royal Art Chamber in Copenhagen
    [Statens Museum for Kunst, revised 2013]

Exhibitions

Stockholm 1988
Copenhagen 2002
Hamburg 2003, No. 63
Gotha/Kassel 2015, No. 60

Literature

Reference on page Catalogue Number Figure / Plate
Bonnet, Görres 2015 62-63 20 p. 63
AuthorAnne-Marie Bonnet, Daniel Görres
TitleLucas Cranach d. Ä. - Maler der Deutschen Renaissance
Place of PublicationMunich
Year of Publication2015
Show Literature
Dohe 2015 48
AuthorSebastian Dohe
TitleAemulatio, Anspruch und Austausch. Cranachs Kunst im höfischen Dienst
Publicationin Julia Carrasco, Justus Lange, Benjamin D. Spira, Timo Trümper, Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein Gotha and Museumslandschaft Hessen Kassel, eds., Bild und Botschaft. Cranach im Dienst von Hof und Reformation, [Exhib. Cat. Gotha, Kassel]
Place of PublicationHeidelberg
Year of Publication2015
Pages43-50
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Gotha, Kassel 2015 210, 211 60 Pl. p. 211
EditorJulia Carrasco, Justus Lange, Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha, Benjamin D. Spira, Timo Trümper
TitleBild und Botschaft. Cranach im Dienst von Hof und Reformation, [Gotha, Herzogliches Museum; Kassel, Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister, Schloss Wilhelmshöhe]
Place of PublicationHeidelberg
Year of Publication2015
Show Literature
Bonnet, Kopp-Schmidt, Görres 2010 174-175 20
AuthorAnne-Marie Bonnet, Gabriele Kopp-Schmidt, Daniel Görres
TitleDie Malerei der deutschen Renaissance
Place of PublicationMunich
Year of Publication2010
Show Literature
Bonde 2007 Fig. p. 160
AuthorLisbeth Bonde, Jakob Fibiger Andreasen, Gerd Rathje, Hanne Støving
Title13 år med Allis
Place of PublicationCopenhagen
Year of Publication2007
Show Literature
Bach-Nielsen 2006 279 Fig. p. 278
AuthorCarsten Bach-Nielsen
TitleDanmark og renæssancen 1500 - 1650
Place of PublicationCopenhagen
Year of Publication2006
Show Literature
SMK 2005 23 Fig.
Authorn. a.
TitleSMK highlights. Statens Museum for Kunst
Place of PublicationCopenhagen
Year of Publication2005
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Hamburg 2003 68, 179 063 Pl. 63
EditorBucerius Kunst Forum, Werner Schade
TitleLucas Cranach. Glaube, Mythologie und Moderne [Bucerius Kunst Forum, Hamburg]
Place of PublicationOstfildern-Ruit
Year of Publication2003
Show Literature
Koepplin 2003 C 160, 161 Fig. 95
AuthorDieter Koepplin
TitleEin Cranach-Prinzip
Publicationin Heinz Spielmann, Werner Schade, eds., Lucas Cranach. Glaube, Mythologie und Moderne, Exhib. Cat. Hamburg 2003
Place of PublicationOstfildern-Ruit
Year of Publication2003
Pages144-165
Show Literature
Kolind Poulsen 2003 130-132, 136, 141 63 Fig. 10
AuthorHanne Kolind Poulsen
TitleFläche, Blick und Erinnerung. Cranachs Venus und Cupido als Honigdieb im Licht der Bildtheologie Luthers
Publicationin Heinz Spielmann, Werner Schade, eds., Lucas Cranach. Glaube, Mythologie und Moderne, Exhib. Cat. Hamburg 2003
Place of PublicationOstfildern-Ruit
Year of Publication2003
Pages130-143
Show Literature
Robert 2003 109, 110 62 Fig. 6
AuthorJörg Robert
TitleDie Wahrheit hinter dem Schleier. Lucas Cranachs heidnische Götter und die humanistische Mythenallegorese.
Publicationin Heiz Spielmann, Werner Schade, eds., Lucas Cranach Glaube Mythologie und Maderne , Exhib. Cat. Hamburg 2003
Place of PublicationOstfildern-Ruit
Year of Publication2003
Pages102-115
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Copenhagen 2002 53, 56, 69 No. 33 Fig. p. 53
AuthorHanne Kolind Poulsen
TitleCranach [Statens Museum for Kunst , Copenhagen]
Place of PublicationCopenhagen
Year of Publication2002
Show Literature
Auct. Cat. London 2001 60
AuthorSotheby's Auction House, London
TitleSotheby's London. Old Master Paintings, 13.12.2001
Place of PublicationLondon
Year of Publication2001
Show Literature
Jongh 1998 Fig. p. 21
AuthorEddy de Jongh
TitleAmor als honingdief
JournalKunstschrift
Issue42
Year of Publication1998
Pages20-26
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Schleswig 1997 364 (Vol. 2) No. 428 (Vol. 2) Fig. p. 77
EditorJan Drees, Heinz Spielmann
TitleGottorf im Glanz des Barock. Kunst und Kultur am Schleswiger Hof 1544-1713. Bd. 1: Die Herzöge und ihre Sammlung
Volume1
Place of PublicationSchleswig
Year of Publication1997
Show Literature
Exhib. Cat. Stockholm 1988 66 No. 51 Plate p. 67
EditorNationalmuseum, Stockholm
TitleCranach och den tyska renässancen
Place of PublicationStockholm
Year of Publication1988
Show Literature
Friedländer, Rosenberg 1979 No. 244
AuthorMax J. Friedländer, Jakob Rosenberg
EditorG. Schwartz
TitleDie Gemälde von Lucas Cranach
Place of PublicationBasel, Boston, Stuttgart
Year of Publication1979
Show Literature
Norn 1961 59, Fn. 728
AuthorOtto Norn
TitleHesselagergaard og Jacob Binck
Place of PublicationCopenhagen
Year of Publication1961
Show Literature
Eriksen 1953 46-49 Fig. p. 49
AuthorSvend Eriksen
TitleVenus og Amor
JournalKunst
Issue10.1953
Year of Publication1953
Pages46-49
Show Literature
Friedländer, Rosenberg 1932 202
AuthorMax J. Friedländer, Jakob Rosenberg
TitleDie Gemälde von Lucas Cranach
Place of PublicationBerlin
Year of Publication1932
Link http://digi.ub.uni-heidelberg.de/diglit/friedlaender1932
Show Literature

Research History / Discussion

Image and text interrelate in a relationship of tension so that the viewer - drawn in by the Goddess' direct gaze - must resolve the reception of the image on his own. The complexity of the visual and intellectual levels of discourse - image and text, sensuality and moderation, aesthetic indulgence and scholarly reflection - mark the artistic quality of the depiction, that adresses an educated, art appreciating clientel. [1] The interaction between the image and the inscription, which although only present in a modified form nevertheless characterises the Venus panel from 1509, was associated with the lutheran theology and the constant choice faced by mankind and is updated with each encounter. [2]

[1] Exemplarily: Werner 2007.

[2] Exhib. Cat. Copenhagen 2002; Poulsen 2003, 137-139; Pérez D'Ors 2007

[Exhib. Cat. Gotha/Kassel 2015, 210]

  • Venus with Cupid Stealing Honey, 1530

Images

Compare images
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  • reverse
  • reverse
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  • reverse
  • irr
  • x_radiograph
  • x_radiograph
  • uv_light
  • uv_light
  • detail
  • detail
  • detail
  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation
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Documents

Technical studies

29.11.2013Scientific analysis

  • Identification of wood species / Dendrochronology

Support

  • analysed by Peter Klein

2013Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • reverse
  • reverse

Support

The wooden panel is approx. 11 mm thick and consists of two planks which are glued together and enhanced with vegetable fibres. The left wooden plank is measuring 57.5 x 22 cm and has some inactive woodworm holes. The right wooden plank is measuring 57.5 x 16 cm. The panel is slightly warped backwards.

The wooden support has one joint vertical and no cracks.

The back of the panel has originally been painted black in an area 5-10 mm from the edges. This black paint has been partly removed in 1944 where the back of the painting then was impregnated with a mixture of wax and resin.

The panel is bevelled on all four sides and there are traces of planning of the panel with a gouge in the horizontal direction.

Ground and Imprimatura

The ground has a yellowish/white colour and is not that thick (maybe based on chalk?) so you can see the structure of the wooden support through the ground and paint layer on the surface of the painting.

Paint Layers and Gilding

The painting is painted with oil paint.

The paint layer has a pattern of natural ageing cracks.

The paint layer are slightly faded (especially the green colour in the right side of the painting) which are visible because the outer part of the painting (about 7 mm) has been covered by the frame.

The paint layer is stable and well preserved but has small losses and scratches in the paint layer.

The varnish is glossy.

Framing

Frame of black painted wood and partly gilded.

Unknown whether the frame is the original.

[Statens Museum for Kunst, revised 2013]

15.04.2009Scientific analysis

  • Identification of wood species / Dendrochronology

Support

- the wooden support is made of two beech wood boards and can be dated respectively 1527-1416 and 1525-1402.

  • analysed by Peter Klein

09.01.2009Scientific analysis

  • Micro-sampling / cross-sections

09.04.2008Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • Infrared reflectography
  • irr
  • photographed by Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen

18.07.2006Technical examination / Scientific analysis

  • Infrared reflectography
  • examined by Rachael Billinge
  • UV-light photography
  • uv_light
  • uv_light
  • X-radiography
  • x_radiograph
  • x_radiograph

Condition Reports

Date23.03.2003

  • examined by Henrik Bjerre

Date1966

  • examined by Ole Alkærsig

Conservation History

Date01.11.2001

  • conservation treatment by Lone Bøgh
  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation
  • conservation

Citing from the Cranach Digital Archive

Entry with author
<author's name>, 'Venus with Cupid Stealing Honey', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DK_SMK_KMSsp719/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})
Entry with no author
'Venus with Cupid Stealing Honey', <title of document, data entry or image>. [<Date of document, entry or image>], in: Cranach Digital Archive, https://lucascranach.org/en/DK_SMK_KMSsp719/ (Accessed {{dateAccessed}})

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