Education of Cupid c. 1783

Editor: Here we have Jacques Bouillard's "Education of Cupid," an engraving. It's quite a tender scene, with Venus seemingly blindfolding Cupid. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: The act of blindfolding Cupid is particularly loaded. Consider the Enlightenment context; the image critiques the perceived irrationality of love. Editor: So, it's less about cherishing love, and more about questioning its power? Curator: Precisely. And note how the framing device – the ornate border – reinforces the artifice. It's staged, presented for public consumption and debate. Editor: I never considered the staging of art playing such a crucial role in shaping opinions. Curator: The public sphere then, as now, depended on visual rhetoric to influence perceptions and norms. Thinking about it this way shifts the whole meaning. Editor: That's fascinating. It really highlights the power of visual art to influence societal values and understanding. Thanks.