Cupid / Eros. In classical mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, erotic love, attraction and affection.
Cupid is typically portrayed in art as a young, winged boy or cherub, often depicted with a bow and arrows. His arrows symbolize his power to make people fall in love, and he is frequently shown aiming or shooting these arrows.
In many artworks, Cupid is also portrayed as playful and mischievous, reflecting his role in stirring both romantic and chaotic emotions. In classical and Renaissance art, Cupid is often depicted nude or partially clothed, with soft, round features and a youthful, innocent appearance.
He sometimes appears with his mother, Venus / Aphrodite, or in scenes of lovers, symbolizing his role in bringing them together. In some representations, Cupid is blindfolded, symbolizing the irrationality and unpredictability of love.
In Baroque and later periods, Cupid’s image evolved, often becoming more playful, mischievous, or even symbolic of eroticism. For example, in works by artists like Caravaggio and Rubens, he is shown interacting with humans or gods in ways that emphasize the transformative or disruptive nature of love. Cupid's depiction continues to evolve in modern and contemporary art, but he remains a central symbol of love, desire, and the capriciousness of emotion. Although Eros is generally portrayed as a slender winged youth in Classical Greek art, during the He