Flora and Zephyrus. 2nd half of the 17th century. Oil

Zephyrus is the wind god of classical mythology, the embodiment of the gentle and warm west wind. He was the bringer of spring and, according to the Roman writer Ovid, was the husband of Flora, the goddess of flowers and spring. Since the blossoming of flowers in the spring was associated with fertility, Flora was also the goddess of youth and pregnancy.
The pair of lovers in the throws of passion depicted in the painting have been thought to be Cupid and Psyche, but the wreath on the woman’s head speaks in favour of Zephyrus and Flora.

Federico Cervelli (1642–1696) was an Italian painter working in Venice.