Cupid in the Elysian Fields tied to a tree in the centre, surrounded by many figures

Art Historical Context

In the heart of this intricate 1563 engraving, *Cupid in the Elysian Fields to a tree in the centre, surrounded by many figures*, the mischievous god of love finds himself playfully bound amid the paradisiacal afterlife of Greek mythology. Created by Italian artists Pietro Stefanoni and Giulioasone—key figures in the Mannerist tradition—this print captures a lively mythological tableau teeming with male and female nudes, evoking the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity and the human form. Engravings like this one, measuring about 9 by 14 inches, were revolutionary for their time, allowing detailed images to be reproduced and shared widely across Europe. Bonasone, a master engraver influenced by Raphael and Michelangelo, employed fine lines and cross-hatching to achieve depth, texture, and dramatic shading, highlighting the sensual interplay of figures in the blissful Elysian Fields. The nudity underscores the era's humanist ideals, celebrating beauty and anatomy inspired by ancient sculptures. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as a gift from Aileen Chuk in memory of Joan Kenney, this work invites visitors to ponder Cupid's rare vulnerability—a whimsical twist on love's triumphs and ties.

About the Artist

Pietro Stefanoni|Giulio Bonasone (Italian|Italian) · 1557 |1560 –1642 |1609

Italian, Valstagna ca. 1557– ca. 1642 Rome|Italian, Bologna 1560–1609 Rome