The Honey Thief

Here's another artwork that has been buried in a private collection for yonks, in this case a century. Lucas Cranach the Elder's Venus with Cupid stealing Honey (1537) comes up for grabs in Bonhams Old Master Paintings sale at 101 New Bond Street, London, on 4 December with an estimated value of £1,500,000 to £2m. The Latin message on the top left corner of the picture reads: “A bee stings the son of Venus while he is stealing honeydew thus sweet things are mixed with evil ones.” How to turn an erotic nude into a morale message fit for German prudes! The stag lying behind Venus represents Prudence (CLICK). Venus and her son formed such a popular theme that the Cranach workshop produced at least 27 of them. CLICK for another.