Antonio Allegri, The Education of Love, 1700, Oil on Canvas, Framed

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The Education of Cupid (Venus, Mercury, and Cupid)
by Antonio Allegri, known as Correggio
(Correggio, 1489 – Correggio, 1534)

Oil … Read more The Education of Cupid (Venus, Mercury, and Cupid)
by Antonio Allegri, known as Correggio
(Correggio, 1489 – Correggio, 1534)

Oil on canvas (157 x 93 cm - Framed 175 x 112 cm)

The antique painting offered here, of excellent quality, is a valuable study of the work by Antonio Allegri (Correggio, c. 1489 – 1534), depicting "The Education of Cupid," held in the National Gallery in London (oil on canvas, 155 x 92 cm).

Against a background of dense vegetation, a winged female figure, traditionally recognized as Venus, leads the young Cupid to Mercury for instruction. Mercury's iconography essentially adheres to tradition, both in his elaborate headdress, the petasus, and his winged sandals for flight.

The history of this work is fascinating and noteworthy. Originally painted for the illustrious collection of the Mantuan nobleman Nicola Maffei, it passed in the early 17th century to the Gonzaga family, with whom the Maffeis had close ties. Subsequently, in 1628, it left Italy to enter the collections of Charles I of England. Thanks to these changes, it gained immediate success and exceptional fame from the 16th century onwards, becoming one of Europe's most celebrated collections.

Desired and praised over the centuries, the work thus fascinated many artists who sought to pay explicit homage to it, often to satisfy the requests of the most illustrious art collectors of the time, who wanted to own their own copy. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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