Who painted Cupid Asleep?

Cupid Asleep was painted by Bartolomeo Coriolano in 1630.

Where can I see Cupid Asleep?

Cupid Asleep is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Cupid Asleep?

Cupid Asleep is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Cupid Asleep?

Museum-quality prints of Cupid Asleep are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Cupid Asleep

Bartolomeo Coriolano , 1630

Cupid Asleep is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Bartolomeo Coriolano. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Bartolomeo Coriolano’s 1630 woodcut, titled Cupid Asleep, presents a tranquil scene of a young child curled beneath a blanket. The figure rests with his head supported by a hand, set against an unadorned background that isolates the form and emphasizes its quiet repose.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a sleeping infant, traditionally identified with the Roman god of love, Cupid, in a moment of peaceful slumber. The lack of narrative action and the gentle composition suggest a contemplative meditation on innocence and the fleeting nature of desire.

Technique & Style

Executed as a chiaroscuro woodcut, Coriolano employed multiple blocks to achieve a nuanced play of light and shadow. Soft, swirling lines render the skin in pale tones, while deeper carved areas create pronounced darkness, giving the figure a convincing three‑dimensional presence despite the flat medium.

History & Provenance

Created in the early seventeenth century, the work belongs to a period when Italian printmakers explored chiaroscuro effects to rival painting. While specific ownership records are scarce, the print is recognized as part of Coriolano’s oeuvre, which contributed to the development of tonal woodcut techniques in Europe.