Cupid Resting (copy)
Original title: Cupid Resting (copy)
kurzbeschreibung
Seated on a rock, Cupid rests with bow and arrow in hand. Rembrandt van Rijn captured this motif in etching with drypoint; the year of execution is not recorded. The image stays monochrome throughout, placing it among the artist's printed works.
Description
Cupid has taken a seat on a rock. Apart from a small loincloth he is bare, his feet unshod. Curly, wavy hair frames the head, and wings sit at the shoulders. The figure holds a bow and an arrowhead. Behind him appear curtains and part of a window. The layout feels balanced and calm, the figure placed at the middle. Finely graded lines and hatching bring out textures and the forms of the body.
Context
Rembrandt van Rijn took up mythological and biblical subjects in many of his etchings. This sheet dates from the 17th century and is regarded as a copy after a lost original, or as an independent version. The resting Cupid was much prized as a motif in the Baroque era, since it joined the sensual and the playful sides of love.
Impact
A quiet, familiar mood radiates from the print. It comes from the central placement of the figure and evenly spread light. The delicate lines and monochrome treatment give the work a classical, timeless feel that invites lingering.
Technique
For this sheet Rembrandt combined etching with drypoint. In drypoint the lines are scratched directly into the metal plate with a needle; when printed they leave a soft, velvety edge. The plate was also bitten with acid to produce deeper lines. Inking with ink and printing onto paper followed.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)