Amor (Cupid) from Ein Handschuh (A Glove). Cyclus von zehn Compositionen radirt. Rad. Opus VI, Plate X. First edition

Art Historical Context

**Amor (Cupid) from *Ein Handschuh (A Glove)*, 1881** This captivating print, Plate X from Max Klinger's *Ein Handschuh* cycle—a series of ten etched compositions (Opus VI)—depicts the mischievous god Cupid amid swirling flowers and leaves. Created by the German Symbolist artist Max Klinger and printed by F. Fels, it belongs to the first edition, a rarity that highlights its status as a collector's gem. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 9 through the Isaacson-Draper Foundation gift, this work measures an impressive 18 5/16 x 26 inches, inviting viewers into Klinger's dreamlike narrative of love, obsession, and the surreal. Klinger's mastery shines in his use of etching, drypoint, and aquatint on chine collé—a refined technique where delicate Chinese paper is adhered to a sturdy support for subtle tonal effects and rich textures. Drypoint's velvety burrs evoke Cupid's soft forms, while aquatint adds atmospheric depth to the foliage, blending precision with fantasy. Part of the late 19th-century Symbolist movement, the series draws from Romanticism and Japonisme, using a lost glove as a metaphor for elusive desire. As the finale of the cycle, *Amor* encapsulates Klinger's innovative printmaking, bridging fine art and storytelling. Visitors will appreciate how its intricate details reward close inspection, revealing the era's fascination with mythology and the subconscious.

About the Artist

F. Felsing|Max Klinger (German|German) · |1857 – |1920

|German, Leipzig 1857–1920 Großjena