Jupiter en Amor 1780 - 1815

Alexander Liernur created this chalk manner print of “Jupiter en Amor” sometime between 1785 and 1815. Born in the Netherlands, Liernur lived through a time of revolution, both in France and in the Netherlands. Prints like these served as a form of cultural currency, circulating classical themes through society. In this image, we see a fleshy Cupid embracing a swan – an allegory for Jupiter’s seduction of Leda. Cupid, the god of love, is often depicted as an innocent, winged child. But this image presents a more complex and perhaps knowing figure. The narrative explores themes of desire, transformation, and power dynamics, filtered through the sensuous embrace and the knowing gaze of Cupid. The softness of the chalk manner emphasizes the allegorical nature of love and seduction, inviting us to consider the diverse interpretations of classical myths in our own lives.