Joseph-Marie Vien and The Cupid Seller

'The Cupid Seller' (1763) by Joseph-Marie Vien; Musée National Château de Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau

The depiction of today's painting made me laugh. I simply had to show you this art work of French painter Joseph-Marie Vien, born on June 18, 1716, and died on March 27, 1809. Vien was a former teacher of Jacques-Louis David and considered to be of great importance to Neoclassical art. He created a sensation at the 1763 Salon with the painting shown here. It was based on an ancient Roman wall painting. The women wear dresses reminiscent of classical sculptures and the setting is a classical interior. Cupids were very popular in the 18th century and used frequently in paintings. Vien wanted to imply the idea of bought sexual pleasure. The cupids in the vendor's basket seem harmless infants but the little one held up by the salesgirl seems to hold its forearm in a provocative manner. Anyway, whatever Vien meant with this painting, I think it's cute and funny and I like the colours of the painting very much.