Education of Cupid c. 1783

Curator: Jacques Bouillard's "Education of Cupid" presents us with a fascinating glimpse into late 18th-century printmaking; look closely at the engraving's fine lines. Editor: It’s oddly tender for such a formal composition. It feels like a stolen moment, Cupid struggling with his homework. Curator: The engraver Bouillard, born in 1744, was clearly catering to aristocratic taste, referencing classical mythology while showcasing the craft. Note the emphasis on linear precision. Editor: And yet, there's a softness in Venus's expression, a genuine sense of teaching. It almost undermines the rigid structure of the piece. Like a love letter slipped into a textbook. Curator: The print's dimensions—roughly 10 by 9 inches—suggest a personal object, designed for intimate viewing and repeated consumption within a specific social circle. Editor: I keep coming back to the contrast between the sharp engraving and the gentle subject. It's like love itself: structured, yet chaotic, tender, and surprisingly hard to master.