Poor Cupid

Edmonia Lewis, Poor Cupid, modeled ca. 1872, carved 1876, marble, 27 x 13 ³⁄₄ x 12 ¹⁄₄ in. (68.6 x 34.9 x 31.1 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alfred T. Morris, Sr., 1984.156

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Artwork Details

Title: Poor Cupid
Artist: Edmonia Lewis
Date: modeled ca. 1872, carved 1876
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum
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Luce Foundation Center
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3rd Floor
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20A
Dimensions: 27 x 13 ³⁄₄ x 12 ¹⁄₄ in. (68.6 x 34.9 x 31.1 cm.)
Credit Line: Gift of Alfred T. Morris, Sr.
Mediums: marble
Mediums Description: marble
Classifications: Sculpture
Subjects: Allegory — passion — love
Mythology — classical — Cupid
Object — weapon — bow and arrow
Object Number: 1984.156
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.156

Artwork Description

Edmonia Lewis occasionally carved sculptures of mythical scenes, which were very popular with American tourists visiting Rome. Poor Cupid, or Love Ensnared, depicts the cherub with his hand caught in a trap as he reaches down for a rose. Frivolous sculptures like this appealed to the Victorian sentimentality of affluent Americans traveling around Europe.