Cupid Asleep
Painting on canvas mounted behind an oval slip • Circle of or after Caravaggio (Michelangelo Merisi); possibly a 17th-century Italian follower or Neapolitan school
Style & Movement
Baroque
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas featuring tenebrism and chiaroscuro with soft sfumato modeling of the flesh and feathered wings
Creation Period
17th Century (c. 1620-1650)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 50 x 60 cm (canvas); landscape orientation presented in an oval aperture within a rectangular frame
Subject Description
A winged putto or Cupid is depicted in a deep sleep, resting his head on his hand and leaning on a crimson cushion with gold tassels. The dark background creates an intimate, theatrical focus on the figure, which is a classic Baroque allegorical subject representing 'Amor Dormiente' (Sleeping Love).
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; visible surface craquelure and aged varnish but structurally sound
Estimated Market Value
$15,000 - $25,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$10,000 - $18,000 USD
Provenance History
Likely from a private European collection; the ornate gilded Rococo-style frame suggests 19th-century presentation or reframing.
Art Historical Significance
This piece is a high-quality iteration of a theme popularized by Caravaggio's own 'Sleeping Cupid' (1608). It exemplifies the Baroque fascination with dramatic lighting and the vulnerability of the human form, even in divine subjects.
Notable Features
Housed in an exceptionally ornate 19th-century gilded wood and plaster frame with rocaille motifs; the use of the oval slip adds a distinctive focal depth to the composition.
Condition Issues
Stable craquelure throughout; slight yellowing of the varnish; minor abrasions at the edges where the canvas meets the frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and a light varnish refresh are recommended. UV-filtered glass and climate control would preserve the canvas integrity.