“Venus combing Cupid’s hair” by Giovanni Mannozzi, also known as Giovanni da San Giovanni (San Giovanni Valdarno 1592 – Florence 1636), is located in the Hall of Allegories of the Palatine Gallery. The canvas offers one of the most original interpretations of Venus in the figurative arts. The goddess of love is depicted in the center of a dark and rocky landscape while, in an affectionate and maternal gesture, she combs her son Cupid's thick hair with a thick comb as if she were intent on looking for any lice.

Instead, it is in the Hall of Ulysses “Amore Vincitore” by Orazio Riminaldi (Pisa 1593-1630). The canvas belonged to the Grand Prince Ferdinando de' Medici's collection and probably came from the group of works left to Orazio's brother after his death. The subject of the work is commonly identified as "Love conquering the arts", but in the Medici inventories of the end of the seventeenth century, it is described as "Love dominating everything" or "The genius of virtue". The painting is inspired by the Virgilian concept Omnia vincit amor and finds an illustrious precedent in the work with the same theme created by Caravaggio for the Marquis Giustiniani.

“Sleeping Cupid”, 1608, Caravaggio (Palatine Gallery)

Also, don't miss the exhibitions in Florence, they are full of love!