Cupid mending his Bow (after Parmigianino)
after Parmigianino (Parma 1503 – Casalmaggiore 1540)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1600 - 1699
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
1346 x 724 mm (53 x 28 1/2 in)
Order this imageCollection
Saltram, Devon
NT 872074
Caption
Cupid, the god of love, is shown, as an adolescent, from behind, naked and winged, looking over his shoulder seductively at us. His foot is resting on two books, symbols of learning and human knowledge, suggesting his supremacy has overcome them. He is running a knife over an unstrung bow, which, according to legend, he was carving from the club of Hercules, symbolizing that divine love can overcome physical strength. Below, a male amorino is enticing a grimacing girl to look up at Cupid. The subject could refer to all the Erotes and therefore the three aspects of love: Eros (love), Himeros (desire) and Pothos (longing). Also, Eros is no longer a child but has grown with the help of his twin brother Anteros (requited love). This is a copy after the original painting by the Mannerist, Parmigianino, around 1533/4, owned by Francesco Baiardi (1486 – 1561), and later the duc d’Orléans, and is now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Cupid mending his Bow (after Parmigianino), after Parmigianino (Parma 1503 – Casalmaggiore 1540), 17th century. The scene shows a back view of a full-length winged naked figure, turned to left, looking over his left shoulder with left foot forward resting on two books. He is leaning forward and running a knife over an unstrung bow with his right hand. Two cupids, only head and shoulders visible, are at his feet in the bottom centre and one is clutching the other who is grimacing stongly. The picture is after a painting by Parmigianino, of around 1533/4, now in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.
Provenance
Given to the National Trust as part of the endowment by Montagu Brownlow Parker, 5th Earl of Morley (1878-1962)
Credit line
Saltram, The Morley Collection (accepted in lieu of tax by HM Treasury, and transferred to The National Trust in 1957)
Makers and roles
after Parmigianino (Parma 1503 – Casalmaggiore 1540), artist
References
Saltram 1819 Catalogue of the Pictures, Casts and Busts belonging to the Earl of Morley at Saltram [Frances Talbot, Countess of Morley], Plymouth 1819, p.6 no. 7 Saltram 1844 Catalogue of the Pictures, Casts and Busts belonging to the Earl of Morley, at Saltram [Frances Talbot, Dowager, Countess of Morley], London 1844, p. 5 no. 7 Saltram 1902 Catalogue of Pictures at Saltram and 31 Prince's Gardens 1902, p. 3 no. 1