Palma il GiovaneItalian, 1550–1628Venus and Mars
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Venus and Mars” now? Collection: J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles. Not on view at present. Checked October 7, 2026.
Los Angeles, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
Venus twists on the bed in a curved yet inviting pose, and Mars extends his limbs below, with a putto aiding him to disrobe. The bodies of these mythological lovers respond to each other in their similar anticipatory gestures, creating a dynamic experience of space. The composition's bold diagonal, from the maidservant airing the bedclothes at the top left to Mars's armor at the bottom right, further enhances the scene's sense of drama and spatial depth. Palma Il Giovane perpetuated many elements of Tintoretto's style, such as the sexual magnetism that galvanizes this entire canvas. Palma painted few mythological subjects, probably for a small circle of his intellectual friends. The poet Giambattista Marino spent time in Venice from 1606 to 1607, and Palma may have painted this canvas for him.
J. Paul Getty Museum
Details
- Accession number
- 71.PA.50
In the catalog
Sources
- J. Paul Getty Museum
- Image: J. Paul Getty Museum — Open Content
![Studies for an Annunciation [recto], Jacopo Palma il Giovane](https://api.nga.gov/iiif/7542fc8e-28ce-47bf-b824-944c4919349b/full/!2400,2400/0/default.jpg)
![Nude Man Seen from Behind [verso], Jacopo Palma il Giovane](https://api.nga.gov/iiif/7b5fa639-769d-4de8-b777-08a461daf0bd/full/!2400,2400/0/default.jpg)
