Venus, roman goddess of love, was married to the blacksmith-god vulcan. This plate shows him forging an arrow for venus's son cupid, god of love, who targets the hearts of both gods and humans. Gold-tipped arrows make them fall madly in love, while lead-tipped ones make them reject all advances. This is a fine example of xanto avelli's ability to compose the scene in graceful accommodation with the shape of the plate. Date: between circa 1528 and circa 1532 (Renaissance). Place of creation: Urbino, Italy. Dimensions: height: 2.7 cm (1 in); width: 26.5 cm (10.4 in). Medium: earthenware. Collection: Walters Art Museum. Francesco Xanto Avelli - Plate with Vulcan, Venus, and Cupid - Walters 481492
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