Syphilis or Jealousy? Analysis of a figure in Bronzino's painting ‘Allegory of Venus and Cupid’ (National Gallery, London)
- 1National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Mangone, Cosenza, Italy
- 2Department of Anatomy, Histology, Legal Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Correspondence to Dr Antonio Tagarelli, National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Neurological Sciences, Contrade Burga, Mangone 87050, Cosenza, Italy
- Accepted 30 August 2012
- Published Online First 18 September 2012
In Bronzino's ‘Allegory of Venus and Cupid’, the figure often identified as Jealousy in the left halfway down corner is looking down showing shock and horror. The darkened skin of the figure below suggests syphilitic rupia: the hands are pressed on …
