Love Embracing Friendship

This sculpture group was commissioned in 1754 for the park of the Chateau de Bellevue (near Paris). It recalls the same artist's statue of the Marquise de Pompadour as Friendship, on display near to this sculpture in the same gallery. Cupid has placed his bow and quiver on the ground as, in all innocence, he embraces Friendship, who is not afraid. The latter figure is an idealised representation: like the statue of the marquise, she is depicted with a plain dress, bare breast and arms and profusion of flowers, but she no longer has the face of Madame de Pompadour.