Afrodite e Eros (Aphrodite and Eros)

Na mitologia grega Afrodite (αφροδιτη), beldade originária de Chipre, era a deusa da beleza e do amor. Informa uma lenda que Cronos castrou Urano, pai dos Titãs e deitou os seus testículos ao mar. Estes ao caírem provocaram ondas (aphros) e do choque nasceu Afrodite ('espuma do mar'). Terá casado com Hefestos e este seria o pai de Eros. Mencionam-se diversas ligações amorosas. O panteão romano adoptou-a com o nome de Vénus e Eros como Cupido.

In Greek mythology Aphrodite (αφροδιτη), a beauty from Cyprus, was the goddess of beauty and love. According to a legend Cronus castrated Uranus, the Titans’ father, and threw his testicles into the sea. Their fall into the water caused waves (aphros), and Aphrodite emerged from the shock ('sea foam'). She married Hephaestus who would be Eros’ father. It is said she had a lot of liaisons. The Roman Pantheon adopted her as Venus and Eros as Cupid.

Johann Liss (ca 1590-1631)-'Venus in front of the mirror'-oil on canvas-(1625-1626) Firenze-Galleria degli Uffizi

Lorenzo Lotto (ca 1480-1550)-'Venus and Cupid' New York-Metropolitan Museum of Art

Alessandro Allori (1535-1607)-'Venus and Cupid' Montpellier-Musée Fabre

Sebastiano Ricci (1659-1734)-'Venus and Cupid'-oil on canvas-ca 1713 London- Chiswick House

Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini (1675-1741)-'Aphrodite and Eros'-oil on prepared MDF board