Hovering cupids 

Jacob de Wit made this drawing of hovering cupids using pen and brown ink, with grey wash, in the 18th century. At this time, the Dutch Republic’s Golden Age had long passed, but artists like De Wit looked back to the art and culture of that period. We see in this image a study for a ceiling painting, perhaps in a wealthy merchant’s home, an institution that De Wit's work helped to support. The cupids themselves, with their roots in classical antiquity, represent love and desire. Through his mastery of light and shadow, De Wit evokes the playful movement of these figures, capturing a sense of life and energy. As a historian, I turn to sources such as letters, inventories, and architectural plans to better understand the social context in which De Wit created this drawing. This helps to appreciate the many cultural forces that shaped its creation and reception.