God of war · Weapons, desire and newfound peace

Mars, or Ares, personifies war, but painters often depict him disarmed by Venus, held back by Minerva, or defeated by love.

Ares embodies the violence of combat in Greece, while Mars receives a more civic and protective dimension in Rome. Helmet, spear, breastplate and horses signal the warrior god. However, European painting frequently favors its relationship with Venus: lover surprised by Vulcan, warrior asleep or power rendered harmless by the Graces. Mantegna installs Mars and Venus at the top of Parnassus in a scholarly allegory. Rubens transforms the disarmament of the god into a plea for peace. Rubens transforms the disarmament of the god into a plea for peace. Rubens transforms the disarmament of the god into a plea for peace. Rubens transforms the disarmament of the god into a plea for peace. David ends his career with a scene where weapons and glory give way to beauty, while Van Dyck maintains the momentum of starting in combat. David ends his career with a scene where weapons and glory give way to beauty, while Van Dyck maintains the momentum of starting in combat. David ends his career with a scene where weapons and glory give way to beauty, while Van Dyck maintains the momentum of starting in combat. David ends his career with a scene where weapons and glory give way to beauty, while Van Dyck maintains the gaze Mars disarmed by Venus and the Graces - Jacques-Louis David and Mars and Venus, The Parnassus - Andrea Mantegna. His reading favors figures.

Painting Mars often comes down to asking a political and moral question: what can stop the war?