3-035-440 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Cupid and Pan, about 1600. Cupid, the god of love, climbs onto the back of Pan - the god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, and rustic music - who is on all fours. Cupid subdues Pan by grabbing one of his ears, as surrounding onlookers react in apparent shock, gesturing vigorously with aghast expressions. A winged allegorical figure playing a trumpet soars above, catching the attention of several figures below. Pan personifies carnal lust, so the struggle between the two gods represents the combat of divine and earthly love.