• Bertel Thorvaldsen

  1770-1844

Cupid Writing Jupiter's Laws

• Production Date

  No earlier than September 1831

• Type of Work / Object

  Sculpture > Relief

• Location

  • Denmark > Copenhagen > Thorvaldsens Museum > Main Floor > Room 14

• Inventory Number

  A391

• Catalogue Number

  A391

• Catalogue Level / Collection

  Thorvaldsen's Art > Thorvaldsen's Sculptures (A)

Explanation

• Jupiter with the eagle is dictating the laws for mankind (hence the signs of the Zodiac), and as his secretary he has chosen Cupid, who is printing them on a board with the tip of his arrow. The implication of this is that the laws are benevolent in their intention.

Motif / Theme

• Human > God > Erotes > Eros / Cupid
• Human > God > Zeus / Jupiter
• General Subject > Greek and Roman mythology

Additional Catalogue Information