Artwork

Love and Cupid Carried by Dolphins

Love and Cupid Carried by Dolphins, by Marco Dente, 1504
Love and Cupid Carried by Dolphins, by Marco Dente, 1504

Love and Cupid Carried by Dolphins is a print by the Renaissance artist Marco Dente. It dates from 1504 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Love and Cupid Carried by Dolphins is a mythological print created around 1504 by Marco Dente. The work is currently part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a muscular woman, likely a mythological figure, riding a dolphin while holding a bow. Cupid, as a small winged boy, stands on the dolphin's back, aiming an arrow. A sea monster with a lion's head emerges from the waves below, contrasting with serene angels and a distant city in the sky.

Technique & Style

The print exhibits a distinctive style with sharply defined edges on clouds, waves, and figures, giving the scene a carved, stone-like appearance. The composition is densely packed with action, characteristic of the artist's approach.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1504, the print's history prior to its current residence at The Cleveland Museum of Art is not detailed here.

Context

This work fits within the broader artistic trends of the Renaissance, notable for its mythological themes and dynamic movement. Comparing with the Renaissance style highlights how Dente's mix of myth and energetic composition aligns with or diverges from contemporaneous art.

Legacy

The legacy of 'Love and Cupid Carried by Dolphins' is not explicitly outlined in the provided information, suggesting its impact or influence on subsequent art or cultural movements is either undocumented here or not widely emphasized.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Marco Dente

Artist

Marco Dente

Marco Dente da Ravenna (1493–1527), usually just called Marco Dente, was an Italian engraver born in Ravenna in the latter part of the 15th Century.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.