The subject of Venus and Mars is symbolic of infidelity. Venus, married to Vulcan, falls for Mars, the god of War. The moment in the story depicted here is the act of infidelity where the lovers, unknown to themselves, are trapped by an invisible net forged by Vulcan. The painting is relatively highly finished for Floris whose work is usually executed with a much greater freedom. Some of this can be seen in the anxious expression of Vulcan himself.

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