Aphrodite Arrives at the Getty Villa

Valentine's Day is far behind us, but love is still in the air at the . Aphrodite, the ancient Greek deity associated with beauty and erotic desire, has arrived at the Pacific Palisades art museum.

Aphrodite and the Gods of Love doesn't just feature sculptures, paintings and renderings of the goddess on items used in everyday ancient culture, such as vases, cosmetic containers and mirrors. It explores her precursers in the ancient Near East, her offspring, companions and her adaptation as Venus in Roman religion.

The Getty Villa hosted a preview of the exhibit Tuesday, which included a curated tour by David Saunders, an assistant curator of antiquities at the J. Paul Getty Museum. Guests were able to wander about the exhibit to view bronze statues of Cupid and gaze at The Venus of Capua, a Roman marble statue from about 117-138 A.D.

Aphrodite and the Gods of Love will be on exhibition from March 28-July 9 at the Getty Villa.

The exhibit is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and in association with the J. Paul Getty Museum.

• For more information about Aphrodite and the Gods of Love, click here.