Cupid with Dog and Doves c. 18th century

Curator: Gilles Demarteau created this print, "Cupid with Dog and Doves". Note the fine lines, characteristic of engraving, and the soft coloring added. Editor: It has a surprisingly tender feel for a cupid image. He’s not aiming arrows; he's cuddling with a dog. Curator: That tenderness was a deliberate choice. In the 18th century, such imagery was used to promote ideals of domesticity and affection within the family, tying into the broader cultural shifts towards sentimentality. Editor: The dog, then, isn't just a pet. It's a symbol, a representation of loyalty, fitting neatly into that picture of domestic bliss. Curator: Exactly. The doves, too, reinforce these notions of peace and fidelity. These images helped to shape social values. Editor: It’s interesting how loaded such a simple scene is with cultural meaning. Makes you wonder what future generations will read into our own symbols of affection.