Classical stories of love and desire are often represented by Cupid and Venus: Cupid as the God of Love and Venus as the Goddess of Beauty.

In this painting by Giorgio Vasari (1511–74) we see Venus reclining as she kisses Cupid, who is shown with his bow and quiver. The composition can be interpreted as an allegory of the power of beauty over love, however the message remains ambiguous. This painting is one of Vasari’s many copies of designs by Michelangelo (1475–1564), and reflects the renaissance celebration of classical figures and forms.