Sandro Botticelli’s masterpiece Venus and Mars is the highlight of our exciting new display exploring ideas of sex and power, gender and the body through classical mythology and Italian art of the 1400s and 1500s.

National Treasures: Botticelli in Cambridge brings together a selection of renaissance works from our own collection alongside the Italian artist’s iconic painting of lovers — Venus, the goddess of love and Mars, the god of war.

The arrival of Venus and Mars in Cambridge presents a rare opportunity to see the work outside of London. Until now, the painting has never before left its home at the National Gallery where it’s become one of their most popular and well-loved works since it was bought in 1874.

In celebration of the National Gallery’s 200th birthday, this is one of 12 national treasures on display at venues across the UK.

Image: Detail of Sandro Botticelli, Venus and Mars, 1485, Tempera © The National Gallery, London.