Smithsonian American Art Museum
Poor Cupid
Edmonia Lewis, born Greenbush (now Rensselaer), NY 1844-died London, England 1907 · modeled ca. 1872, carved 1876
Edmonia Lewis occasionally carved sculptures of mythical scenes, which were very popular with American tourists visiting Rome. Poor Cupid, or Love Ensnared, depicts the cherub with his hand caught in a trap as he reaches down for a rose. Frivolous sculptures like this appealed to the Victorian sentimentality of affluent Americans traveling around Europe.
🔒
Order museum-quality prints
Sign in to order prints, canvas, and more of this work. Browsing and full-resolution downloads stay free.
