Venus and Cupid n.d.

Here is a drawing of Venus and Cupid by Samuel De Wilde at the Art Institute of Chicago. The classical scene is rendered with delicate lines and tonal washes, establishing form and depth on paper. Venus sits regally, her figure composed of curvilinear lines, while Cupid stands beside her. The artist uses hatching to model their bodies, creating a sense of volume and texture. The composition invites reflection on themes of love and beauty. De Wilde's choice of medium and style also recalls the tradition of academic drawing. The precise draftsmanship and idealized forms reflect the era's preoccupation with classical ideals. Each line and shadow work together to convey the beauty, harmony, and idealized forms of classical art. Through the formal language of line and form, De Wilde engages with larger cultural and philosophical ideas. Art, here, becomes a site of ongoing interpretation where classical and romantic thought meet.