Three Cupids

16th century

Flemish 16th Century

Associated Names
Flemish 16th Century

Sculptor

The sculpture depicts a small group of cherubic figures. There are three child-like figures intertwined, all with distinctive curly hair. One figure is positioned centrally and slightly reclined, while the other two seem to be leaning over or supporting the central one. The sculpture is crafted from a dark material, likely bronze, giving it a rich, dark brown color with a shiny, polished surface that reveals the details of the figures’ hair, faces, and limbs. The texture of the material reflects light, highlighting the contours of the figures. The small size of the sculpture suggests it could easily fit within the palm of a hand, making it appear intimate and detailed when viewed up close.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    bronze

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 6.4 x 4.1 x 4 cm (2 1/2 x 1 5/8 x 1 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.41

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his estate; purchased 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London and New York); purchased 1945 by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York; gift 1957 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1931

  • Ricci, Seymour de. The Gustave Dreyfus Collection: Renaissance Bronzes. Oxford, 1931: 46, no. 32, pl. 23.

1951

  • Renaissance Bronzes: Statuettes, Reliefs and Plaquettes, Medals and Coins from the Kress Collection. Introduction by Perry B. Cott. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1951: 137, as Handle in form of three seated cupids by Italian 15th Century.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 558.

1983

  • Wilson, Carolyn C. Renaissance Small Bronze Sculpture and Associated Decorative Arts at the National Gallery of Art. Washington, 1983: 155.

1994

  • Sculpture: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994: 85, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q63809370

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