Scorn
c. 1560-1565 National Gallery, London
About this artwork
This allegorical oil painting depicts a winged putto (Cupid) standing atop a reclining male figure, possibly Mars, while two women, likely Venus and another goddess or attendant, look on. The scene is set amidst classical architecture and foliage, conveying themes of love's rejection or triumph.
Did you know?
Veronese, a master of the Venetian school, often created large-scale allegories like 'Scorn' which were popular among aristocratic patrons. This painting is part of a series, where complex narratives explored moral and philosophical themes, often involving classical deities to represent human passions and virtues, demonstrating the sophisticated intellectual tastes of the High Renaissance.
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Scorn
Paolo Veronese, c. 1560-1565
