Cupid Playing the Lyre 1817 - 1821

Bertel Thorvaldsen carved this sculpture of Cupid with a lyre from marble, a material prized for its smooth texture and luminous quality. Marble carving is an inherently reductive process; the sculptor removes material to reveal the form within. The process begins with roughing out the basic shape, followed by finer carving to define details like Cupid's wings and the delicate strings of the lyre. Finally, the surface is polished to bring out the stone's natural luster. Thorvaldsen likely employed a team of assistants to help with the labor-intensive process. Marble dust filled the air, and the work required both physical strength and artistic skill. It was a complex interplay of creative vision and craft execution. Considering all this labor, it's easy to see this statue as more than just a beautiful object. It's a testament to the rich intersection of art, craft, and the human touch.