Cupid and the Graces (1820)

Cupid and the Graces

Thorvaldsens made two versions of the Graces with Cupid sculpture groups (and the theme is again used in several reliefs). The first version was made around 1813 (with a marble copy from 1820 on display in the museum in Copenhagen). After receiving another order for the work, Thorvaldsen slightly revised it in 1844 by adding Cupid’s arrow. The marble on display in the museum was made in 1864.

The Graces were the helpers of Venus (Athena) and Cupid (Amor) her illegitimate son with Mars (Ares), the God of War.