Venus Teasing Cupid, after Thorwaldsen? c. 19th century

Editor: This is a tiny cameo, "Venus Teasing Cupid," after Thorwaldsen, by Settari. It's small, almost like a coin, and the figures are so delicately rendered. What do you see in this intimate scene? Curator: It feels like a stolen moment, doesn’t it? Venus, playful, almost maternal, disarming Cupid, perhaps to remind him of her power. The circular form and delicate carving…it’s like capturing a fleeting thought in porcelain. Does it evoke a feeling of tenderness for you? Editor: I think it does! There's a vulnerability to it, even though it’s based on classical themes. It's almost… cheeky. Curator: Exactly! And Settari, by referencing Thorvaldsen, is participating in a long conversation about love, power, and representation. It’s history whispering in your ear. Editor: I love that, history whispering. It makes me think differently about the original sculpture too. Curator: It's a fascinating reminder of how stories and images evolve over time, each artist adding their own inflection.