Mars and Venus

Mars and Venus from 1630 at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston depicts the love affair between the god of war and the goddess of beauty. Poussin's treatment of the classical subject emphasizes the contrast between martial power and erotic beauty. Poussin's mythological subjects drew on deep reading of ancient texts — Ovid, Virgil, and Philostratus — and rigorous study of antique sculpture and Titian's poesie. His approach transformed mythology from decoration into moral and philosophical discours...

The paired figures create a composition of mythological contrast. Poussin's warm palette and classical figure handling demonstrate his approach to divine love narratives.