Amor schietend met pijl en boog 1824 - 1875

Lubertus Teunis van Deth created this print, Amor schietend met pijl en boog, sometime in the 19th century. Van Deth was working in a period defined by traditional artistic values, yet also on the cusp of significant social and political transformations. The image depicts Cupid, the god of love, taking aim with his bow and arrow. Representations of Cupid often carry themes related to desire, affection, and the sometimes irrational nature of love. But here I ask, is it really love, or is it power? Consider how gender and power dynamics are at play in the way love is represented here. Is there a lack of agency in the figure being struck by the arrow? How might this relate to societal expectations around love and relationships at the time? This image invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in love and desire and the ways these have been historically represented. It pushes us to question traditional narratives and consider the emotional impact of such depictions.