Love c. 19th century

Editor: This is "Love," a work by Auguste Gaspard Louis Boucher Desnoyers. What strikes me most is the figure of Cupid; how would you interpret this image? Curator: Notice how Cupid holds a snake, and its tail winds around his leg. The snake is an ancient symbol of rebirth and transformation. What does that say about love? Editor: Hmm, so love isn't just gentle; it also represents change and even struggle? Curator: Precisely! Love, like the serpent, sheds its skin, constantly renewing and challenging us. It's about death and rebirth, isn't it? Editor: That gives me a lot to think about. Thanks for pointing out the symbolism.