Sleeping Cupid with two snakes

Carved in Carrara marble, this Cupid is captured with great verisimilitude in his sweet surrender to sleep and in the softness of the childlike forms. His quiver, bow, wings and wreath of roses, all symbols of the son of Venus, leave us in no doubt as to the subject being portrayed. Meanwhile, the two snakes that surround him should be understood as allegorical. This piece is from the Ducal Palace of Sabbioneta.