After Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844), Cupid Complains to Venus about a Bee Sting

second half of the 19th century, terracotta relief plaque, presented under glass within a shadowbox frame.
Frame dimensions 24 3/8 x 24 1/2 in.
A near identical composition by Thorvaldsen in plaster, circa 1809, is in the collection of the Thorvaldsen Museum. The motif is taken from a poem by Anacreon describing how Cupid is one day stung by a bee as he is about to pluck a rose. After running to his mother for comfort, she admonishes him to be empathetic to the suffering of those he strikes with his arrows.
The Collection of the late Mr. William Hulbert, Chesapeake, Virginia
Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.lelandlittle.com

Chip and loss to top edge of plaque; light scuff marks to surface; the plaque is affixed to the backing board with an unknown adhesive, unable to determine if the verso of the plaque is marked.