ErosEducation1.0001

Antonio da Correggio, "Mercury Instructing Cupid before Venus" (aka "The School of Love"), painting ca. 1494 - 1534, National Gallery, London, inv. 10.

Little Eros, like a school boy, receives personalized instruction on how to deliver a love-letter at the knee of the master go-between, Hermes.

Reid (p. 413): "The popular [I would add "classical"] tradition that Eros was the son of Aphrodite is emphasized in scenes depicting the boy-god's education. He is usually seen poring over a book while seated between his mother and Hermes. The subject became popular in the Renaissance with the rise of interest in [classical] learning. Ares is occassionally present as archery instructor. In some works the term 'education' is taken to mean the chastisement of Eros [or Eros stung by bees] for his malicious ways."

Hermes/Mercury trains Eros in this charming vignette. He is recognizable by his iconography: broad-brimmed hat (petasus), winged shoes (talaria), but the caduceus is not there. Is it suggested that Eros is coming of age, poised on the brink of adulthood? Perhaps Hermes' skill at message-delivery is the key to understanding this scene.