Cupido met pijlenkoker en boog staand op wolken 1636

Jan Gerritsz van Bronckhorst created this etching of Cupid with quiver and bow standing on clouds in the Netherlands in 1636. The image is a classical reference that raises questions about the institution of love and the politics of imagery. In seventeenth-century Dutch culture, the figure of Cupid would have been widely recognizable from classical mythology and its revival in Renaissance art. As the god of love, Cupid's presence speaks to cultural values around romance, marriage, and desire. His positioning on clouds elevates these themes, suggesting their significance in the social imagination. Bronckhorst, trained in both painting and glass design, uses etching here to translate these traditions into a more accessible medium. Understanding this work requires delving into the history of Dutch art, exploring the influence of classical motifs, and considering the social context in which love and marriage were negotiated. Through careful research, we can better grasp the artwork’s role in reflecting and shaping its cultural moment.