Cupid carves a wooden bow with a file, with his back turned toward Venus, from "Sport of Love" (Scherzi d'amore) 1617

Odoardo Fialetti created this engraving titled 'Cupid carves a wooden bow with a file, with his back turned toward Venus, from "Sport of Love"' sometime in the 17th century. It depicts Cupid diligently crafting a bow, pointedly turning away from his mother, Venus. Within the context of the Italian Baroque period, representations of mythological figures were often used to explore human emotions and experiences. Here, the complex dynamic between mother and son is palpable. Venus appears almost melancholic, perhaps contemplating the implications of love, or feeling slighted by her son's preoccupation with his task. Cupid seems to assert his independence, carving out his own agency in matters of the heart. This image provides a glimpse into the intimate relationship between love and autonomy, resonating with timeless themes of familial bonds, and the sometimes painful forging of individual identity.