Who painted Cupid inspiring the plants with love?

Cupid inspiring the plants with love was painted by Philip Reinagle the younger in 1817.

Where can I see Cupid inspiring the plants with love?

Cupid inspiring the plants with love is held by Fitzwilliam Museum.

Artwork

Cupid inspiring the plants with love

Cupid inspiring the plants with love is an unspecified painting by Philip Reinagle the younger. It dates from 1817 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1817, this mythological canvas by Philip Reinagle the younger portrays the Roman god of desire, Cupid, within an exotic, verdant setting. The work is part of the Fitzwilliam Museum’s collection and exemplifies early‑19th‑century British interest in classical themes rendered in lush, naturalistic environments.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre, a youthful Cupid, hair a light brown and barely clothed save for delicate wings, draws his bow toward a flourishing plant. The gesture suggests the god’s power to instill love in nature itself, echoing the title’s notion of the deity inspiring flora with affection.

Technique & Style

Reinagle employs a bright palette and fluid brushwork to convey the tropical foliage’s vitality. The composition leads the eye along a dirt path toward the central figure, while the interplay of light on leaves and the figure’s skin creates a sense of movement and atmospheric depth.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the Fitzwilliam Museum’s holdings after its acquisition in the 19th century, though precise details of its earlier ownership remain undocumented. Its attribution to Reinagle the younger aligns with his known output of animal and botanical subjects combined with allegorical figures.