Benjamin West painted many versions of this tender scene recalling an ode by the ancient Greek poet Anacreon. Here, Venus comforts her son, Cupid, after he suffers a bee sting. This painting reflects the noble ideals and elevated sentiments of the history painting genre, for which West became a key representative.
The American-born West left for Italy in 1760 to expand his artistic repertoire. There he saw the increasing influence of classical antiquity on artistic style and taste. He learned sophisticated glazing techniques that differed from the painting methods he learned in Pennsylvania. After three years in Italy, he permanently settled in England.
