# Seated Cupid

- By: Étienne-Maurice Falconet (Paris, 1716–1791)
- Date: 1757
- Medium: marble (rock), copper (metal)
- Classification: sculpture
- Dimensions: diameter 63.5 cm
- Credit line: On loan from the Koninklijk Kabinet van Schilderijen Mauritshuis
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/BK-1963-101--ff081f27c81c52ac0612800fc6f15b44)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/oRVzW/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Teens profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

Already in the 18th century this famous sculpture was known by various nicknames, the best known of which was l’amour menaçant, ‘menacing love’. The threat is most evident in the Cupid’s knowing gaze, while the gesture he makes invokes us to secrecy. The statue was made for Madame de Pompadour, King Louis XV’s art-loving mistress.