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Cupid Complaining to Venus
Also known as: Plaquette: Mischievious Amor Stung by Bees Running to Venus for Comfort
About the Artwork
This plaquette interprets an ancient Greek poem by Theocritus. Having been stung by a swarm of bees after attempting to steal their honey, Cupid sought refuge in the arms of his mother Venus, the goddess of love. Surprised that such small creatures could cause such great pain, Venus reminded Cupid, that like the sting of a bee, love’s arrow could be dangerous.
Provenance
Probably Max Rosenheim, 1849-1911 (Vienna, Austria) and/or Maurice Rosenheim, died 1922 (England). Cyril Humphris, Ltd. (London, England). Blumka Gallery (New York, New York), sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art, 1984.
Exhibition history
Year in Review for 1984. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (April 3-May 5, 1985).
Quick Overview
- Artist
- Peter Flötner (German, 1485–1546)
- Date
- c. 1540–46
- Medium
- lead
- Dimensions
- Overall: 6.8 x 9.2 cm (2 11/16 x 3 5/8 in.)
- Type
- Sculpture
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Department
- European Painting and Sculpture
- Credit line
- Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
- Accession no.
- 1984.15
More by Peter Flötner in museum collections
Data retrieved from the Cleveland Museum of Art on October 8, 2026. The museum may have updated its record since.
Open-access museum record · AT-00010644
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