Cupid on Horseback
before 1639 (model), 1640–64 (cast)
Medium
Copper alloy, covered with a dark brown lacquer patina.
Dimensions
H. 15.3 cm, l. 20.4 cm.
Classification
Metalwork-Bronze
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1400
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the whimsical *Cupid on Horseback by Francesco Fanelli, captivating small-scale bronze from the 17th century. The model for this piece was crafted before 1639, casts produced between 1640 and 1664, placing it squarely in the Baroque era's love for dynamic, subjects. At just 15.3 cm high and 20.4 cm long, copper alloy sculpture captures the Roman god of love—playful Cupid—astride a rearing horse, evoking movement and youthful exuberance perfect for a collector's tabletop. Fanelli's mastery shines in the medium: a copper alloy treated with a dark brown lacquer patina, which lends a rich,...