Cupid chained to a rock by Giovanni Pichler

Cupid chained to a rock 1785 - 1799

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sculpture

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neoclacissism

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classical-realism

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figuration

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sculpture

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decorative-art

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miniature

Dimensions: Overall: 1 1/4 x 15/16 in. (3.1 x 2.4 cm); visible cameo (confirmed): 27.5 x 21.4 mm

Copyright: Public Domain

This delicate cameo of Cupid, carved by Giovanni Pichler, presents us with a curious paradox. A nude Cupid sits, chained to a rock, his head resting in his hands, a picture of melancholic contemplation. Note the composition: the oval format tightly frames the figure, emphasizing his confinement. The artist uses the contrast between the pale Cupid and the dark background to bring him forward, a focal point of the work. Pichler masterfully uses the three-dimensional form of the cameo, creating a sense of depth within the small space. The chaining of Cupid destabilizes our expectations of love as a liberating force; this is instead a tale of constraint. This physical entrapment might represent the intellectual shackles of Enlightenment or the challenges of human existence, a commentary on the limits placed on even the most powerful emotions. The visual representation of Cupid in captivity becomes an invitation to reflect on our own limitations.

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