AMOR VINCIT OMNIA

Amor vincit omnia: translation

In English,Love conquers all. This theme, based on Virgil'sEclogues, became common in the early years of the 17th century, thoughParmigianinohad already provided his version in 1535: theCupid Carving His Bowin the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. In 1601-1602,Caravaggiocreated hisAmor Vincit Omnia(Berlin, Gemäldegalerie) for his patronVincenzo Giustiniani, a work that features a naughty adolescentCupidwho smiles unabashedly at the viewer. At his feet are musical and geometry instruments, as well as armors to denote that love conquers all, even reason. In c. 1603,Giovanni Baglionerendered hisDivine Love(Rome, Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica) in response to Caravaggio's painting, for Giustiniani's brother, Benedetto. While Caravaggio's depicts earthly love, Baglione's presents its divine counterpart subduing Cupid and Satan.