Not currently on display at the V&A

Cupid and Pan

Statue
1862 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is a marble statue made by Holme Cardwell, dated 1862. This statue is executed in Rome where Cardwell lived for some years, although he exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, and many of his patrons were British. This statue represents Cupid and Pan. This group is based on the theme of Love the Conqueror, in which Cupid is shown overcoming Pan, who is crouched on one knee, by holding one of his horns.
Since Pan represents carnal lust, this theme was seen as the combat of divine over earthly love, Cupid in this case having the more virtuous role. As Pan also personifies universal nature, this relief thus equally illustrates the all-embracing power of love.

Holme Cardwell (1820-1864) attended the Royal Academy Schools in 1834, and in 1841 travelled to Paris where he studied under David d'Angers (1788-1856). Cardwell later settled in Rome. He exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1837 and 1856, at the British Institution in 1840, and twice at the Suffolk Street Galleries.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCupid and Pan (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Marble
Brief description
Statue, group, marble, Cupid and Pan, by Holme Cardwell, English, executed in Rome, 1862
Physical description
Marble group, Cupid kneeling over Pan, with pan pipes on the floor. Signed and dated.
Dimensions
  • Weight: 747kg
  • Height: 130cm
  • Base length: 128.9cm
Marks and inscriptions
'HOLME CARDWELL/OF/MANCHESTER/Sculpt· ROME 1862' (on the side of the base behind the forearm of Pan)
Object history
Given by John Malcolm Esq., Poltalloch in 1871.
Subjects depicted
Summary
This is a marble statue made by Holme Cardwell, dated 1862. This statue is executed in Rome where Cardwell lived for some years, although he exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, and many of his patrons were British. This statue represents Cupid and Pan. This group is based on the theme of Love the Conqueror, in which Cupid is shown overcoming Pan, who is crouched on one knee, by holding one of his horns.
Since Pan represents carnal lust, this theme was seen as the combat of divine over earthly love, Cupid in this case having the more virtuous role. As Pan also personifies universal nature, this relief thus equally illustrates the all-embracing power of love.

Holme Cardwell (1820-1864) attended the Royal Academy Schools in 1834, and in 1841 travelled to Paris where he studied under David d'Angers (1788-1856). Cardwell later settled in Rome. He exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1837 and 1856, at the British Institution in 1840, and twice at the Suffolk Street Galleries.
Bibliographic references
  • List of Objects in the Art Division, South Kensington, Acquired During the Year 1871, Arranged According to the Dates of Acquisition. London: Printed by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode for H.M.S.O., p. 86
  • Bilbey, Diane and Trusted Marjorie. British Sculpture 1470 to 2000. A Concise Catalogue of the Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. London, 2002, pp. 232-231, cat. no. 353
Collection
Accession number
1076-1871

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Record createdJune 20, 2002
Record URL
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