Who painted Venus and Cupid?

Venus and Cupid was painted by Pierre Lacour the Elder in 1780.

Where can I see Venus and Cupid?

Venus and Cupid is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Venus and Cupid?

Venus and Cupid is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Venus and Cupid

Pierre Lacour the Elder , 1780

Venus and Cupid is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Pierre Lacour the Elder. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1780 by the French printmaker Pierre Lacour the Elder, this work is an etching on laid paper depicting a scene from classical mythology. The composition presents the goddess Venus reclining beside her son Cupid, rendered in a soft, intimate manner that emphasizes the gentle interaction between the figures.

Subject & Meaning

The image draws on the mythological narrative of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, and her child Cupid, the embodiment of desire. By portraying the pair in a relaxed, shaded setting, the print suggests a private, contemplative moment, inviting viewers to consider themes of affection, beauty, and the tender bond between mother and child.

Technique & Style

Lacour employed the traditional etching process, incising a wax‑grounded metal plate with a needle before immersing it in acid to bite the lines. The resulting grooves retain ink, producing delicate, pencil‑like strokes that convey subtle gradations of light and shadow. The laid‑paper substrate adds a faint texture that enhances the work’s atmospheric quality.

History & Provenance

The etching was produced in the late eighteenth century, a period when French artists frequently revisited classical subjects. While specific ownership records are limited, the piece is catalogued among Lacour’s known prints and has been referenced in scholarly surveys of French printmaking of the era.