Cupids Preparing for the Chase 

Editor: So, here we have Thomas Stothard’s "Cupids Preparing for the Chase," its date is unknown. It's an oil on canvas, and I’m struck by the roughness of the brushstrokes, especially considering the subject. What do you see in the way Stothard used material in relation to the subject? Curator: The rough strokes and earthy tones are fascinating. Consider the social context: Stothard made designs for all kinds of luxury objects. Does this painting challenge or reinforce the boundary between fine art and the decorative arts? Was Stothard thinking of this painting as something to be reproduced, mediated through printing technology to adorn other objects? Editor: I didn’t think about that, but it makes sense. It almost feels like it’s meant to be printed on something! I appreciate that new perspective on how the image might function. Curator: Indeed. Considering his designs appeared on everything from books to Wedgwood pottery, that is a perspective worth considering.