This scene shows Cupid being comforted by his mother, the love goddess Venus, after a bee has stung his finger. West's source for the subject was likely the fortieth ode attributed to Anacreon, the ancient Greek lyric poet. In this ode, Anacreon writes, "Cupid as he lay among / Roses, by a Bee was stung. / Whereupon in anger flying / To his Mother, said thus crying; / Help! O help! your Boy's a dying. / ... A winged Snake has bitten me, Which Country people call a Bee ... "