The Gods Dispatched to Thwart Venus and Mars in their Tent---Phoebus exposes Mars and Venus to the ridicule of the Olympians
Artist
Unknown
Date17th Century
MediumEtching on laid paper
DimensionsSheet: 5 1/8 x 8 1/16 in. (13 x 20.5 cm)
ClassificationsPrints
Credit LineGift in memory of Leon H. and Marie Buttlar Sparling by their family
Object number2008.20.29
On View
On viewCollections
- Works on Paper
SignedLetters etched in the plate in the LL of the image possibly beginning with a W and the second name beginning with a B. Another line of lettering below it, not legible (was the plate reworked and the original signature obliterated or the name of the author of the revised edition not clearly inscribed?)
Inscribed"38" somewhat crudely etched at LL outside the image border. There are remnants of engraved letters, probably a title or possibly,
Verso: Top ctr "702" in pencil; "38" in LR under the collectors mark; "M (?) 12-I" probably a reference to a print source.
An old typed label cut out from a previous mat and mounted inside the present mat "orginal copper engraving/collectors reference stamp/on reverse of print/ 18th century, author's/ name lower left corner"
In pencil LR of inner mat "The Gods Dispatchedd to Thwart/Venus and Mercury in Their Tent"
MarkingsCollectors stamp on the verso, LR, an oval in brown ink "F" superimposed over "Q". (Identified by Armin Kunz in his appraisal dated 9/22/08 as Friedrich Quiring as found in Lugt 1041b)
Watermark at center somewhat bell-shaped with an ogee point at the bottom with a five-petaled blossom below, the upper section with two out-turned cusps. (Identified by Armin Kunz as a small coat of arms.)
DescriptionOn the right a nude couple on an elaborately hung canopied bed. Armor, a shield and weapons lay on the floor next to the bed while a figure holds up a part of the bed curtain revealing the couple within. Cupid with bow and arrow flies above this figure. On the left large swirls of clouds enclose a gathering of gods and goddesses, including Diana with the crescent moon in her hair, at the center.
Trimmed inside the plate mark but outside the image area border. Lettering cut off at bottom, possibly remnants of title and/or possibly the publishers address.Exhibition History“Prosperity and Exclusion,” The Hyde Collection, Hoopes and Whitney-Renz Galleries, May 31 – Sept. 21, 2025ProvenanceBefore 1938, New York, NY, William Randolph Hearst (according to Richard Helbig)
By 1941, New York, NY, Gimbels Department Store (according to Richard Helbig)
New York, NY, Richard Helbig
2006, Houston, TX, Tobin Sparling
2008, Glens Falls, NY, The Hyde Collection Trust
ca. 1750
