Venus et Cupidon

Published August 23, 2023 Updated August 23, 2023

“Venus et Cupidon” from Costante Costantini in his distinctive woodcut style.

1985 Italy Solleone Costante Costantini Erotica Woodblock

Venus et Cupidon is another charmingly risqué deck from Costantini, rendered in his distinctive woodcut style. It is a standard 52 card deck in an edition of 999, with 2 Jokers and a title card, all presented in an illustrated sleeve, which is housed in a pale blue lidded box with gold metallic lettering. See the box

In art and literature, Venus and Cupid have been popular subjects for centuries, symbolizing themes of love, desire, beauty, and the complexities of human relationships. Venus is the Roman goddess of love, beauty and fertility, depicted as a stunning and alluring figure. Cupid, known as Eros in Greek mythology, is the god of love and desire. He is often portrayed as a young boy with wings, armed with a bow and arrows, mischievous and playful, sometimes causing chaos and romance with his arrows.

“Venus et Cupidon” designed by Costante Costantini, published by Vito Arienti and Soleil-Lion (Solleone) in 1985 “Venus et Cupidon” designed by Costante Costantini, published by Vito Arienti and Soleil-Lion (Solleone) in 1985 “Venus et Cupidon” designed by Costante Costantini, published by Vito Arienti and Soleil-Lion (Solleone) in 1985 “Venus et Cupidon” designed by Costante Costantini, published by Vito Arienti and Soleil-Lion (Solleone) in 1985 “Venus et Cupidon” designed by Costante Costantini, published by Vito Arienti and Soleil-Lion (Solleone) in 1985 “Venus et Cupidon” designed by Costante Costantini, published by Vito Arienti and Soleil-Lion (Solleone) in 1985

Above: “Venus et Cupidon” designed by Costante Costantini, published by Vito Arienti and Soleil-Lion (Solleone) in 1985. Cards measure 92x60mm.

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By Adam West-Watson

Member since September 01, 2014

I have been fascinated by playing cards ever since I can remember, and still have several of the card games I had as a child. And although I had accumulated quite a number of packs of various sorts over the years, it wasn't until I was in my 50s that I began collecting in earnest. My tastes are quite varied, and my collection of 800 or so decks includes:- children's games, standard and non-standard playing cards, adult games, fortune telling and oracle cards, tarot cards, and even cigarette cards.

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