Sergel was inspired by Homer’s The Iliad in several works. Here he depicts the story of the wounded love goddess Venus’ rescue by Mars. The war god is made to represent vigorous power, ready to defend the helpless Venus, who complains of her pain. Sergel began the group in 1775 in Rome, but finished it in Stockholm in 1804. It is intended to be viewed from all sides; the various angles of the composition differ in character.