Venus and Mars is a panel painting of about 1485 by the Italian Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli. It shows the Roman gods Venus, goddess of love, and Mars, god of war, in an allegory of beauty and valour. Probably intended to commemorate a wedding, the painting was likely set into panelling or a piece of furniture to adorn the bedroom of the bride and groom. The painting has been held by the National Gallery in London since 1874.Painting: Sandro Botticelli