Artwork

Cupid with bow

Cupid with bow, by Roger Fenton, photographic, 1855
Cupid with bow, by Roger Fenton, photographic, 1855

Cupid with bow is a photographic photography by the Impressionist artist Roger Fenton. It dates from 1855 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Behind him, a wing sprouts from his back, and a lion’s head sits on the base beside his feet.

This is a black-and-white photo of a stone statue. It shows a bare-chested boy with curly hair, holding a bow in one hand. Behind him, a wing sprouts from his back, and a lion’s head sits on the base beside his feet.

The photo was taken in 1855, and the statue looks like it’s made to look soft but strong. The artist used simple shapes to show the boy’s body and the lion’s face.

Look up putto to see how this kind of figure appears in other art.

Overview

This 1855 photograph by Roger Fenton depicts a stone statue of a winged boy holding a bow, captured in sepia tone.

Subject & Meaning

The statue represents a classical figure, likely Cupid, identifiable by his wings and bow. The presence of a lion's pelt nearby adds to the classical context.

Technique & Style

Fenton's photograph emphasizes simple shapes and textures, rendering the statue's details in monochrome. The resulting image conveys a sense of softness and strength in the figure's form.

History & Provenance

The photograph was taken in 1855 by Roger Fenton, a pioneering figure in photography. The statue itself is not identified, but its style is consistent with classical representations.

Artist & collection

Artist

Roger Fenton

Roger Fenton (1819–1869) was a British artist.