Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, Victorious Cupid, 1601-02. Gemäldegalerie, Berlin.
The Wallace Collection is exhibiting a single painting by Caravaggio (1571-1610), Victorious Cupid on loan from the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin — it has never been seen in the UK before. During this ARTscapades two-part lecture by Dr Richard Stemp we explore the painting in detail, discovering its place not only in Caravaggio’s career, but also in the culture of early 17th century Rome. In the process we will also learn more about the Wallace Collection itself as a result of the initially surprising juxtaposition between the robust Roman Baroque and the delicate French Rococo.
Study Evening includes two lectures, Q&A and a short break. Tickets £20
Lecture One — Caravaggio and Giustiniani
After the briefest of introductions to the history of the Wallace Collection, we meet our two protagonists, Vincenzo Giustiniani and Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, looking in particular at the latter’s origins, and the development of his work up until he met the polymath Giustiniani. We see how the geography of Rome impacted their relationship, and consider the context in which the Victorious Cupid was exhibited in the Palazzo Giustiniani.
Lecture Two — Cupid, and other boys…
Making our way through the Wallace’s exhibition, we look at the Victorious Cupid in detail, considering what makes it so original, while also considering all of the potential sources – and there are many – which may have inspired its creation. To contemporary eyes the image might appear to be shocking, but none of the contemporary or early responses to it suggest that it was seen as such in the early 17th century. Looking at other images which Caravaggio’s contemporaries could have been familiar with might help to explain why.
We end by thinking about the ways in which Caravaggio’s painting enters into a conversation with other works in the Wallace Collection, thus helping us to see this superb museum in a different light.
Caravaggio’s Cupid is a free exhibition at the Wallace Collection from 26 November 2025 to 12 April 2026. The exhibition catalogue is supported by a grant from ARTscapades.
This event will be recorded. Ticket holders are emailed a link to view the recording afterwards which is available for one month. Proceeds from ARTscapades ticket sales benefit museums, galleries and other arts-based organisations and projects.
This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live with Q&A, or on-demand for one month afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.