Three Cupids Turning a Somersault, an Eagle on the Right 1731 - 1765

Louis Félix de La Rue created this print of three cupids and an eagle in France, sometime in the mid-18th century. It exemplifies the lighthearted, decorative style that was in vogue during the reign of Louis XV. This aesthetic was promoted by the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, which dictated artistic taste at the time. Prints like these helped disseminate fashionable styles from the capital to the provinces and beyond. The imagery draws on classical mythology, with cupids referencing love and desire, and the eagle symbolizing power. However, here, the cupids are engaged in playful, rather undignified antics. Are we looking at a comment on the social structures of its own time? Is it self-consciously conservative or progressive? Does it critique the institutions of art? To fully understand the nuances of this print, we can look to period publications, such as art criticism and fashion magazines. These sources offer insights into the cultural values and artistic debates of the time, allowing us to understand this artwork in its original social context.