Card (Valentine): I Love You

Venus and Mars

Sandro Botticelli

tempera and oil on paper 69.2 x 173.4cm

Mars, God of War, was one of the lovers of venus, Goddess of Love.  Here Mars is sleeping "the little death" which comes after making love and not even a trumpet in his ear will wake him. The satyrs have stolen his lance - a joke to show that he is now disarmed.  Venus, however is awake and alert.  The meaning of the picture is that love conquesr war or love conquers all.