Sleeping Cupid 1560 - 1606

"Sleeping Cupid," a 16th-century etching by Paolo Farinati, depicts the Roman god of love, Cupid, in a state of slumber. The detailed lines of the etching capture the softness of Cupid's relaxed form, emphasizing the contrast between his youthful beauty and the ruggedness of the natural landscape. The composition is dynamic, with Cupid’s body and wings twisting along the ground, while the dense foliage above provides a sense of mystery and solitude, drawing the viewer’s attention to the figure. This work, now held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, exemplifies Farinati’s mastery of etching and his fascination with classical mythology.