Winged Cupid (from Cropsey Album) 1810 - 1894

Here we see a graphite drawing of a Winged Cupid, unsigned, attributed to Chauncey Bradley Ives. The figure of Cupid, bow in hand, is a motif deeply rooted in classical antiquity, representing desire, affection, and erotic love. These themes are visualized through the symbol of the bow and arrow. Cupid's image can be traced back to Eros in ancient Greece, often depicted in vase paintings as a slender, winged youth bringing both joy and chaos. Over time, Eros transformed into the plump, mischievous Cupid familiar in Roman art and later Renaissance paintings, often blindfolded to suggest love's irrationality. The arrow, once a straightforward symbol of desire, becomes laden with layers of meaning. It’s not just about attraction; it hints at vulnerability, piercing through defenses, evoking the bittersweet pain that accompanies love. The image of Cupid, with his bow drawn, continues to resurface, evolving and adapting, yet forever bound to our collective memory of love’s complex dance.