Amor met kat bij huilend meisje 1788 - 1888

Jean Prud’hon created this print, titled "Amor met kat bij huilend meisje", around 1778. It depicts Cupid, the god of love, with a girl who is crying, and a cat. The image creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references, tapping into the French Neoclassical fascination with love and antiquity. Prud’hon's graceful, idealized forms evoke a world of classical myth, while also hinting at the pain that love can bring. But what are the politics of the image? Is it critiquing the institution of love through allegory? Is it a commentary on the social conditions that shape romance? Understanding this work requires digging into the social history of 18th-century France. Art historians might explore the cultural meanings of Cupid, cats, and tears at the time, drawing on literature, fashion, and social customs to enrich our understanding. By investigating the social and institutional contexts of art, we can better understand its power and relevance.