Cupid Sharpening His Arrow c. 18th century

Curator: This is "Cupid Sharpening His Arrow," a print by Jacques Bouillard. Editor: Oh, he's really working at it, isn't he? The way he's hunched over, grinding away... not as romantic as I expected. Curator: Bouillard, active in the late 18th century, was known for these precise engravings. Notice the labor involved, the clear tooling marks. It really highlights the process. Editor: That's interesting... because the composition—cupid, cherubs, even the book as a pedestal—all point to high art, but the grind of it is almost… vulgar? Curator: The printmaking process was a craft, labor intensive, but designed for wider consumption. This democratizes love, perhaps? Editor: Or just shows us the elbow grease needed to keep the arrow sharp. Curator: A reminder that even love requires work. Editor: Indeed. Even cherubs need their tools sharpened!