Elisabetta SiraniItalian, 1638–1665Amur The Winner
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Amur The Winner” now? Collection: State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg. Not on view at present. Checked August 29, 2026.
Saint Petersburg, Russia
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
Museum text in Russian
Тема Амура была широко распространена в искусстве и литературе XVII века. В живописи сына богини любви традиционно изображали мальчиком почти совершенной красоты. В произведении Сирани он предстает в образе подростка, стоящего в торжественной позе на пьедестале с надписью AMOR. Его взгляд обращен к небесам, окрашенным золотым сиянием, одна рука со стрелой прижата к груди, а вторая держит лук. Название картины отсылает к строке из книги Вергилия «Буколики»: «Все побеждает Амур, и мы покоримся Амуру» (Omnia vincit amor et nos cedamus amori). Некоторые исследователи считают, что композиция может восходить к графическому произведению Гвидо Рени, работы которого изучала Элизабетта Сирани.
State Hermitage Museum
Details
- Accession number
- ГЭ-105
In the catalog
Sources
- State Hermitage Museum
- Image: State Hermitage Museum — © State Hermitage Museum
In the life of Elisabetta Sirani
The whole life8 January 1638
Born
by 1654
Takes over the family workshop
By 1654 her father is incapacitated by gout and can no longer work, and Elisabetta takes over the running of the workshop: she becomes the family’s main breadwinner, living on teaching fees and portrait commissions. The studio thrives, helped by the progressive atmosphere of Bologna, where women artists were accepted and celebrated; her sisters Barbara and Anna Maria serve as her assistants.
28 February 1657
First major public commission
At nineteen she receives her first major public commission, from Daniele Granchi, prior of the Carthusian church of the Certosa di Bologna; she will go on to paint at least thirteen public altarpieces.
1660
Opens a painting school for women
She opens a school — the first school of painting for women in Europe outside a convent, open regardless of the women’s artistic and social connections; besides her younger sisters Barbara and Anna Maria she trains at least twelve young women, among them the wood-engraver Veronica Fontana, Caterina Pepoli, Maria Elena Panzacchi, Camelia Lanteri, Lucretia Forni, Veronica Franchi and Ginevra Cantofoli, who was portrayed as Sirani’s rival.
August 1665
Sudden illness and suspicions of poisoning
She falls suddenly ill; only days earlier the maidservant Lucia Tolomelli had asked to leave the family’s service, and suspicion of poisoning fell on her, though the charges were soon withdrawn. The likely cause is peritonitis after a ruptured ulcer, perhaps brought on by the strain of providing for the whole household.
28 August 1665
Died
