WAM Collection Expands With Acquisition
Courtesy
Paolo Veronese's “Venus Disarming Cupid” and shows Venus, in a playful gesture, taking away the bow of her son Cupid, so he is unable to deliver his arrows of love. The painting is one of several by Veronese that present the subject of Venus and Cupid, but few have survived, WAM said.
A painting dating back to 1560 that director Matthias Waschek called a “game changer” for the Worcester Art Museum has been acquired by the facility.
The painting is Paolo Veronese’s “Venus Disarming Cupid” and is one of the few works by the Renaissance painter that remained in private hands, WAM said. It shows Venus, in a playful gesture, taking away the bow of her son Cupid, so he is unable to deliver his arrows of love. The painting is one of several by Veronese that present the subject of Venus and Cupid, but few have survived, WAM said.
The painting is a gift from collector Hester Diamond of New York, who purchased the work at Christie’s in 1990. It’s donated in honor of Diamond’s stepdaughter, Rachel Kaminsky, a WAM board member.
“It is rare that a museum can announce the acquisition of a single Italian Renaissance work, let alone one as spectacular as this Veronese,” Waschek said. “While the museum’s collection includes exceptional Italian Renaissance masterworks … it has traditionally been stronger in northern European works. This Veronese shifts the spotlight to the south, and reflects our desire to grow and expand the scope and diversity of the museum’s collection.”
“Venus Disarming Cupid” will be on display at WAM beginning Sept. 20 as part of an upcoming exhibition “[remastered],” a collection of European works featured in medallion-style hangings, reminiscent of 17th and 18th century collection displays. In addition to the Veronese, the exhibit will include paintings by El Greco, Rembrandt, Ribera, Ruisdael, Strozzi and de Hooch.
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