Cupid and Minerva
1788
Medium
Pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, over graphite
Dimensions
Overall: 6 15/16 x 5 5/16in. (17.6 x 13.5cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1961
Accession Number
61.134
Tags
Art Historical Context
Richard Cosway's *Cupid and Minerva* (1788) captures a timeless mythological encounter between the playful god of love, armed with his bow and arrow, and wise goddess of wisdom and war. Created during the late era in England, this drawing reflects the period's with classical antiquity, where often explored tensions between passion intellect—here symbolized by youthful Cupid and stern. Executed in pen and ink with brush and gray over graphite, the work Cosway's mastery as leading miniaturist and Royal Academian. The graphite underdrawing provides precise contours, while the brown ink lines add...
About the Artist
Richard Cosway
The most fashionable miniaturist of his day, Cosway was known for his elegant portraits. His large-scale portraits are considered less successful. He was friends with the Prince of Wales (later Prince Regent). Comment on works: religious, Portraits, mythology, miniatures