Artwork
Cupid spurning riches
Cupid spurning riches is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Guercino. It dates from 1654 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
The piece is currently housed in the collection of the Museo del Prado, representing a key example of the artist's later output.
Guercino's *Cupid Spurning Riches*, completed in 1654, is an Italian Baroque oil painting. This work exemplifies the artist's mature phase, characterized by a balanced and classical approach. It depicts the mythological figure of Cupid amidst symbols of wealth, illustrating a narrative of rejection. The piece is currently housed in the collection of the Museo del Prado, representing a key example of the artist's later output.
Subject & Meaning
The painting presents the winged mythological figure of Cupid, depicted as a cherubic infant, surrounded by various symbols of material wealth. Gold coins spill from a blue purse, while other coins, a spear, and a red cloth lie on the stone floor. A dark bag with more coins, along with Cupid's traditional bow and arrows, complete the scene. This arrangement visually conveys the theme of the god of love rejecting worldly riches.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, this work belongs to the Early Baroque period in Italy, yet it distinctly showcases Guercino's later stylistic developments. The composition demonstrates a classical equilibrium, a hallmark of his mature technique, moving towards a more measured and harmonious aesthetic. This refined approach contrasts with some of the more dramatic elements often associated with earlier Baroque art, reflecting the artist's evolving artistic vision.
History & Provenance
Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino, was a prominent Italian Baroque painter and draftsman born in Cento in 1591. He was active in significant artistic centers such as Rome and Bologna throughout his career. *Cupid Spurning Riches* was created in 1654, placing it late in his prolific artistic journey. The painting is now part of the esteemed collection at the Museo del Prado.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (8 February 1591 – 22 December 1666), better known as (il) Guercino (Italian pronunciation: ), was an Italian Baroque painter and draftsman from Cento in the Emilia region, who was active in Rome and Bologna.
