Venus et Cupidon

Published August 23, 2023 Updated August 23, 2023

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

1985 ItalyEroticaWoodblockCostante CostantiniSolleone

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.

avatar
16 Articles

By Adam West-Watson

Australia • Member since September 01, 2014 • Contact

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.

Related Articles

1984 Carte Romantiche Italiane

Carte Romantiche Italiane

Scenes of life and the theatre in Milan towards the second half of the 19th century.

1977 Lo Stampatore

Lo Stampatore

‘Lo Stampatore’ linocut images created by Sergio Favret, published as a deck of cards by Editions So...

1984 Schwarze Katze (or Gioco del Gatto Nero)

Schwarze Katze (or Gioco del Gatto Nero)

Reproduction of a 40-card transformation pack with designs by “WS”, adapted for the game of Black Ca...

1981 Le Nuove Minchiate di Firenze

Le Nuove Minchiate di Firenze

Costante Costantini's second Minchiate deck, “Le Nuove Minchiate di Firenze”, was published by Solle...

1980 Minchiate Fiorentine

Minchiate Fiorentine

Minchiate Fiorentine created by Costante Costantini, published by Edizioni del Solleone.

1979 Tarocco Indovino

Tarocco Indovino

Sergio Ruffolo’s “Tarocco Indovino” is an expanded version of his “Lo Zodiaco” cartomancy deck.

1986 Il Mercante in Fiera del Solleone

Il Mercante in Fiera del Solleone

Traditional Italian card game with bold designs by Costante Costantini.

1970 Italia playing cards

Italia playing cards

Small, narrow cards designed by Osvaldo Menegazzi, bearing a strong resemblance to a Swedish pattern...

1971 Napoleone playing cards

Napoleone playing cards

Long, narrow cards designed by Osvaldo Menegazzi, featuring Napoleon, Josephine and various soldiers...

1976 Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico

Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico

Promotional pack for Chianti Classico wine, with designs by Costante Costantini.

1981 Burgdorf Abschreckhärtetechnik

Burgdorf Abschreckhärtetechnik

Promotional pack for a German steel hardening business, with designs by Costante Costantini.

1979 La Cour Galante

La Cour Galante

‘La Cour Galante’ playing cards with erotic images by Costante Costantini, Italy, 1979.

1978 Calcio Storico Fiorentino

Calcio Storico Fiorentino

‘Calcio Storico Fiorentino’ by Costante Costantini is based on an early form of football that origi...

1800 Jeu Grotesque

Jeu Grotesque

Jeu Grotesque was first published in France c.1800.

1690 Mitelli ‘Gioco di Passatempo’

Mitelli ‘Gioco di Passatempo’

Il Gioco di Passatempo contains 40 figurative playing cards depicting moral virtues and vices, dated...

Minchiate Fiorentine, 17th C.

Minchiate Fiorentine, 17th C.

17th century Minchiate cards reprinted from the original woodblocks.

1844 Corona Ferrea

Corona Ferrea

Trumps depict historical scenes primarily of the political period known as the Holy Roman Empire fro...

1980 Tarocco Neoclassico

Tarocco Neoclassico

Gumppenberg published several new decks by artists or engravers of the day. The designs are clear an...

1835 Tarocchino Lombardo, c.1835

Tarocchino Lombardo, c.1835

“Tarocchino Lombardo” c.1835, a limited facsimile edition of 2500 by Edizione del Solleone, Italy, 1...

Neapolitan Pattern

Neapolitan Pattern

Cartine da Gioco Vesuvio miniature Neapolitan pattern.