CUPID

CUPIDOmarks a decisive shift in Arjan Spannenburg’s oeuvre, which is predominantly defined by the quiet abstraction of black-and-white photography. In this series, colour is not an aesthetic choice but a conceptual device, directly referencing the tradition of classical European painting. Spannenburg draws inspiration from the old masters, who used oil paint to capture the warmth and vitality of human skin. By employing a rich, painterly palette inCUPIDO, the series positions contemporary photography alongside this historic lineage, approaching the tactile presence of classical portraiture while portraying the modern ‘Eros’ in all his human complexity.

Exploration of Vulnerability in Colour

This series explores the emotional world of adolescence, showing the push and pull between wanting more, being pure, and feeling unsure. The warm skin tones and blonde hair stand out against deep petrol-green backgrounds, painting a picture of the blush of desire and vulnerability that black and white would hide.

Concept and Narrative

Set against shadowy, forested environments, each image presents CUPIDO in moments of hesitation and reflection. The traditional symbols of power, white wings and arrows, are present, yet the figure’s posture conveys the weight of responsibility and doubt. These images invite reflection on universal questions of love: What is love today? Is it sudden and striking or a quiet, gradual force?

CUPIDO becomes both messenger and seeker. The paradox of the series lies in portraying the god of love as vulnerable and uncertain, navigating darkness while bearing the tools of influence. Spannenburg captures a moment of introspection, where love is not just an idea but a deeply felt burden of the heart.