Thursday, November 17, 2016

Young Woman Defending Herself Against Eros (1880)

William Bouguereau: Young Woman Defending Herself Against Eros

A young nude woman sits with her arms outstretched, pushing away a winged boy. He is Cupid, the god of love, holding up an arrow to pierce her. The title suggests that the young woman is trying to defend herself, yet she smiles and struggles unconvincingly against the mischievous little god.

Bougereau placed his mythological fantasy in an idyllic, Arcadia-like landscape. In fact, he made this composition in his studio, copying the landscape from the neighboring French countryside and using one of his favorite models. [J. Paul Getty Museum]

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