Cupid was always a regular motif in Thorvaldsen’s universe, and the little winged figure appears in countless contexts – not only among gods and demigods, but also as in inspiring guest of the ancient poet Anacreon. In this scene, in which Cupid is visiting Jupiter and Juno, he also has an errand to undertake: Juno must be the queen of the rose. The drawing, indicating the lower edge and the right side of a relief, is a preparatory work for a relief made in 1831.
