Vulcan catching Mars and Venus in his net
Louis Chéron, c. 1695
Oil on plaster, ceiling of the State Bedroom
7.44 x 6.85 m
Vulcan catching Mars and Venus in his net
Louis Chéron, c. 1695
Oil on plaster, ceiling of the State Bedroom
7.44 x 6.85 m
The figure of Venus seems, on entering the room from the SecondState Room, to be about to leave the couch, but from the doorentering the Fourth State Room her position appears to be supine.
Clickto see animation of Venus and MarsThe ceiling illustrates the minstrel's song from the Odyssey, bookviii, and shows the gods assembling to witness the scene. Iris andMercury are above Neptune, Jupiter and Pluto, with Juno above to theright and Ceres behind. Hercules, Apollo, Pan, a satyr and Bacchusare situated to the left. The ceiling appears to illustrate themoment when Apollo asks Mercury whether he too would like to lie byVenus's side. Mercury's positive answer causes the assembled companyfurther merriment. Only Neptune, not amused, offers to release Venusand Mars by paying the fine due to Vulcan. In the preparatory drawingin the British Museum and the oil sketch in the Tate Gallery,Bacchus's companion is shown as female, but the satyr in the finalcomposition is more appropriate, for Homer clearly states that 'thegoddesses constrained by feminine modesty, all stayed at home'. Thefigure of Venus seems, on entering the room from the Second StateRoom, to be about to leave the couch, but from the door entering theFourth State Room her position appears to be supine.