Cupid making his bow

This painting is derived from a very well-known work by Parmigianino representing Cupid in the act of crafting his bow, with two books under his feet and two putti next to them. Parmigianino's painting, which was already highly desired by major collectors since the second half of the sixteenth century, was copied by several illustrious artists such as Rubens, Van Dyck and Josef Heintz the Elder, who is most probably the author of this version. Heintz was a Swiss painter and architect who worked as the official portraitist for Rudolf II of the House of Habsburg. It was him who restored Parmigianino's painting when the emperor managed to add it to its collection, but found it damaged by the transportation.