La Marchande d'Amours

Vien had about 60 students, including Jacques-Louis David, in his studio in the Rue Montmartre in Paris. Although he encouraged his students to paint directly from the life model and to study Renaissance artist, his work suggests that he did not always follow his own advice. This painting treats the subject as a piece of veiled erotica: the image of the Cupid held by his wings promising sexual fulfillment. Despite its classical inspiration, it is effectively a Rococo subject in antique clothing.