The clear colours, light background and strong contrast between the swarthy complexion of the male protagonist and the lilywhite skin of the woman are typical attributes of the III style, which retains much of the Archaic. The Hellenistic topic of Ares (although with his plumed helmet he has more the look of an Italic Mars) fondling the bosom of Aphrodite enthroned in majesty, is here set against a bucolic background whereas elsewhere (the tablinum of the House of Marcus Lucretius Frontone) it is placed in a domestic environment. The cupid who is witnessing the scene not only plays up the erotic content but also alludes to the subject of the picture which stands as a pendant to this one, illustrated next (inv. 9257).