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

The series investigates the emotional landscape of adolescence, capturing the tension between desire, innocence, and uncertainty. Warm skin tones and blonde hair contrast with deep petrol-green backgrounds, visually articulating the blush of longing and vulnerability that monochrome would obscure.

Konsep en Vertelling

Verscholen in donkere, bosrijke omgevingen toont elke afbeelding CUPIDO in momenten van aarzeling en overpeinzing. De traditionele symbolen van macht, witte vleugels en pijlen, zijn aanwezig, maar de houding van de figuur straalt de last van verantwoordelijkheid en twijfel uit. Deze beelden nodigen uit tot reflectie op universele vragen over liefde: Wat is liefde vandaag? Is het plotseling en treffend of een stille, geleidelijke kracht?

CUPIDO wordings 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.