Design for Cupid and Trophy of Arms

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Paolo de Mattheis, an Italian artist active from the late seventeenth into the early eighteenth century, created this preparatory design between 1710 and 1728. The drawing explores the mythological figure of Cupid alongside a trophy of arms, a motif that blends themes of love and martial triumph. Such often served as studies for larger decorative schemes in palaces or churches, reflecting the era’s taste for allegorical imagery that celebrated both personal affection and heroic achievement. As part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection, the work was acquired through the generosity of multiple donors and the Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund. Though research on the piece remains ongoing, its classification as a figure study highlights Mattheis’s skill in rendering expressive forms and dynamic compositions typical of Italian draftsmanship of the period. Visitors can appreciate how even a small design like this offers insight into the creative process behind grander artistic projects of the time.