Did you receive a Valentine’s card today? Take a second look at
those cartoon Cupids. They derive, in their own way, from
ancient Greece and Rome, but might not be so cute as they first
appear. Then as now, Cupid’s presence denotes passion and
desire, and our word “erotic” comes from Eros, his Greek name.
Depictions of this youthful winged god, often shown with his bow
and arrow, abound in ancient art. A fabulous example is this
terracotta statue in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts,
Boston, which will feature in our upcoming exhibition at the
Getty Villa, Aphrodite and the Gods of Love (currently on
display in Boston until February 20th). Standing 40 centimeters
high and dating to the late first century B.C., this is a
terracotta masterpiece. The slight lean in his hips, the right
arm behind his back, that sweet—or is it sarcastic?—smile, all
convey the cocky swagger of the chubby boy-god. Tied around
Eros’s chest, and secured with a little medallion, are the paws
of the furry lionskin that covers hi