Venus, Mars and Cupid
by Peter Paul Rubens, c1635
In the mid-1630s, when this painting is believed to have been created, the Eighty Years’ War [a conflict for independence fought between the 17 provinces of the Netherlands and Spain, the empire that ruled them] was close to entering its final decade. Deeply embroiled in the polities of the conflict was Flemish artist, diplomat and statesman Peter Paul Rubens, who was instrumental in negotiating peace
