Cupid as a Messenger, with Caduceus ca. 1730 French Painter French This elliptical-shaped canvas depicts Cupid covered in pink flying drapery against a blue sky with white fluffy clouds, while holding a caduceus, the symbol of his father Mercury, and a rose, the symbol of his mother Venus. Cupid is identifiable by the crossed quiver of arrows, bow, and flaming torch in the trompe loeil architecture at the bottom which is further decorated with Vitruvian scroll or wave motifs. Illusionistic garlands of flowers are painted over the edge of the architectural elements and against the blue sky. This painting may have been part of the interior of a bed canopy or bed alcove which would have only been visible by the occupants of the bed. Beds with fanciful forms and names were introduced in eighteenth-century France which were hung with rich draperies suspended from the tester or canopy or framing the bed alcove. This painting was part of the model collection of woodwork, paneling and seat fu