Artwork
Cupido
Cupido is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Edvard Munch. It dates from 1907 and is held in the collection of the Munch Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1907, Cupido is a pencil drawing by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The work measures roughly a sheet of paper and is part of the collection of the Munch Museum in Oslo. Though rendered in a single medium, the piece conveys a narrative scene that references the mythic figure of Cupid through an intimate, contemporary pose.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing presents a man leaning over a reclining woman, their bodies intertwined in a close embrace. While the title invokes the Roman god of love, the composition focuses on human vulnerability rather than allegorical symbolism, suggesting a personal meditation on affection, desire, and the fleeting nature of intimate moments.
Technique & Style
Executed with bold, gestural pencil strokes, the image relies on minimal line work to define the figures, leaving much of the surface loosely sketched. The background hints at muted greens and browns, applied with a wash-like approach that contrasts with the sharper contours of the bodies, creating a sense of softness and immediacy.
History & Provenance
Cupido entered the Munch Museum’s holdings as part of the artist’s estate, remaining in Oslo since its acquisition. The drawing has been displayed in several retrospectives of Munch’s early 20th‑century output, illustrating his ongoing exploration of psychological themes through drawing rather than oil.
Context
The piece belongs to the period when Munch was moving beyond his earlier Symbolist works toward a more personal, expressionist language. Although often linked to post‑Impressionist tendencies, the drawing reflects his preoccupation with inner experience, a concern that would later culminate in his iconic series on anxiety and love.
Artist & collection
Artist
Edvard Munch ( MUUNK; Norwegian:; 12 December 1863 – 23 January 1944) was a Norwegian painter.
