The Punishment of Cupid
1701 to 1725
Medium
marble
Dimensions
overall: 36.4 x 18 cm (14 5/16 x 7 1/16 in.) accessory size: 11.4 cm (4 1/2 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Department
CSD
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Widener Collection
Accession Number
1942.9.116
Art Historical Context
Etienne-Maurice Falcon’s *The Punishment of Cupid (ca. 1701–1725) is a delicate marble sculpture that captures the playful mischief of classical mythology in the elegant Rococo style. Crafted from fine white marble, this intimate tabletop piece measures just 36.4 x 18 cm overall, with a separate accessory adding to its charm. Falconet, a leading French sculptor of the 18th century was renowned for his graceful depictions of love and emotion, often blending sensuality with whimsy—a hallmark of the Rococo movement that flourished under Louis XV’s courtly opulence. The scene portrays Cupid, the ...