Cupid Preparing His Bow

Image credit: National Trust Images

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Notes

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Cupid is the god of love and son of the goddess Venus. If one of Cupid's arrows strikes a person he or she will fall uncontrollably in love with the next person they see.

At the request of his mother Cupid is preparing to strike Pluto, who is travelling around Sicily. The result of Cupid's dart is the rape of Proserpine, who Pluto spots picking flowers in a field and then takes off to the underworld.

Ralph Bankes (1631?–1677) recorded in 1659 that he bought 'A Cupid of Huysmans' from a Mr Mathewes for £5.

National Trust, Kingston Lacy

Wimborne Minster

Title

Cupid Preparing His Bow

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 132 x W 101.5 cm

Accession number

1257118

Acquisition method

bequeathed by Ralph Bankes, 1981

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

National Trust, Kingston Lacy

Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 4EA England

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