"Worship of Venus", one of three paintings by Tiziano Vicellio (Titian) commissioned in 1523 for the Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso de Este. (see details of delightful Cupids eating  and Cupids playing).

The paintings were started by Giovanni Bellini (1427-1516). The first two works "Worship of Venus" (above) and "Bacchanal" are at the Prado Museum, Madrid, Spain. The third related work "The Feast of the gods" is at the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., USA.

Note: These works inspired Reubens. Historians say that the Bacchant upon whose head wine is being poured is Violante, the lover of Titian. These sensual works were preserved by conservative Spanish kings, an index of civilized behavior.

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