Eros with a dolphin

myminifactory

This sculpture, part of the Farnese Collection, showcases Eros (Cupid) effortlessly riding a dolphin. Crafted in the 2nd Century AD, it originally served as an eye-catching design element on a fountain. The artwork depicts Eros as a winged youngster, positioned upside down as he glides smoothly atop a dolphin whose mouth would have sprayed water. The intricately designed composition of the work is highlighted by the spiraling twist of the dolphin's tail around the child's body, with only the legs in the uppermost section remaining loose. The motif of Eros riding a dolphin is well-known in Greek art from the midpoint of the sixth century BC, particularly on ceramics and decorative items. In ancient works where this theme was most popular, the image is believed to represent the soul's journey (see ancient Roman sarcophagi), initially linked to Dionysian religion. A mosaic from late Roman Britain displays a procession emerging from the mouth of sea god Neptune, with dolphins followed by sea birds, rising up to Cupid. One interpretation of this allegory suggests that Neptune represents the soul's origin in the matter from which life was formed, while Cupid triumphs as the soul's desired outcome.