Description
Johann Liss studied in Holland and Antwerp, and later (about 1620) traveled to Rome and Venice. His painting of Cupid—also known as Amor, the god of love—displays rich colors and fluid brushwork that were influenced by past Venetian masters (Titian, Tintoretto, or Veronese), while the deep contrasts of light and shadow reveal a stylistic debt to Caravaggio. The directness of Cupid’s gaze and the concentrated energy of his pose create a strong connection with the viewer.
Provenance
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio (1971-); (Heim Gallery, London, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (Until 1971); Probably Enrica Basevi, Genoa1 (Probably 1959-?); Alessandro Basevi [1877-1959], Genoa, probably by descent to his daughter, Enrica Basevi1 (1936-1959); (Galleria Pesaro, Milan, probably sold through Mauro Pellicioli to Alessandro Basevi)1 (1936); Agosti and Mendoza collection, probably consigned to the Galleria Pesaro1 (Until 1936)
Accession Number
1971.100
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
Framed: 108 x 86 x 6.5 cm (42 1/2 x 33 7/8 x 2 9/16 in.); Unframed: 87.7 x 65.7 cm (34 1/2 x 25 7/8 in.)
Classification
Painting
Credit Line
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
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