Sleeping Venus and Cupid

Venus and Cupid shows a sleeping Venus with two cupids - one on either side of her. Venus' brightness is in contrast to the duller surrounding figures and landscape which make the latter somewhat difficult to see. Cupid, in Roman mythology was Venus' son, and the two cupids depicted in the painting are in close proximity to her. As the goddess of love, Venus was the "queen of pleasure" and considered mother of the Roman people. Watching over her near her head are two observers, possibly suitors or voyeurs. In the middleground are two lovers and some sheep that Venus possibly counted before she fell asleep. Poussin was one of the greatest exponents of classicism and was regarded as the greatest living artist by his contemporaries.