The artwork “Poor Cupid,” crafted by Edmonia Lewis in 1876, is a marble sculpture emblematic of the Neoclassicism art movement. This piece resides within the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, DC, US, and is a distinguished example of sculpture within its genre.
The artwork depicts a young, chubby cherubic figure, representing Cupid, the classical god of love, with an expression of mild dismay. Lewis has skillfully carved Cupid’s delicate facial features and curly hair, imbuing the figure with lifelike qualities. The figure, although winged, appears to have a solemn demeanor as he leans on a broken, wheel-like structure adorned with roses at his feet. This contrast between Cupid’s divine attributes and his downtrodden posture elegantly captures a poignant narrative, highlighting the artist’s prowess in rendering emotion and detail in marble.
