Venus with Mercury and Cupid ('The School of Love')

Correggio’s amorous education was also one of the most expensive pictures at the Sale, valued at £800. It forms a pagan counterpoint to Raphael’s La Perla, both exemplifying the room’s theme of family and upbringing.

It came from the Mantua sale and along with the two previous works makes the wall – even for such a rich collection – an exceptional exhibition of Renaissance painterly opulence.

Sale Inventory c.1649-51

(per Correggio)

Mercury teaching Cupid to read (and Venus...standing by) (received from Belcamp)

Walpole Society reference (1972): 
WS 323, №20
Appraisal: 
800-0-0
Sold to: 
G Greene or to Baggley
Sale date: 
23/10/1651
Identification certainty: 
Identified