Cupid on a sea monster 1857

This 1857 painting, "Cupid on a Sea Monster," by French academic painter William Bouguereau, depicts the Roman god of love, Cupid, riding a sea monster with scales and the head of a goat. Cupid is depicted as a young, nude boy with wings, holding a flower in his right hand. This classical subject matter, rendered in a highly realistic style, highlights Bouguereau's mastery of academic painting techniques. The use of light and shadow and the careful depiction of the human figure create a sense of beauty and grace.