This painting by Alessandro Tiarini, 1577-1668, entitled Vulcan manufactures the arrows of Love, can be considered emblematically representative of the Bolognese artist’s painting.
The composition is dynamically articulated in the reference of the young stoker from behind on the back to the figure of the mature Vulcan who builds the arrows on the right and to the little Cupid in the foreground who grabs them to put them back in the quiver.
The action marks the scene in three different spatial planes, to which the different ages of man correspond. The power of the layout is enhanced by the dual light source consisting of the glow of the fire and an external source, which brings out the milky complexion of Cupid in contrast to the burnished one of Vulcan.
The heat of the flame and the metaphorical one of Love-Cupid clearly indicate the original decorative destination of the canvas, the chimney hood, which conditions both the format and the lighting setting and the shot from a lowered point of view. Oil on canvas, Manodori Foundation, Reggio Emilia.
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