You asked us: Why is Cupid always up to no good? Simple answer? Cupid reminds us of the power of love. He is depicted as irrational, playful, unpredictable, and joyful, just as love can be. Longer answer? 1. In antiquity, Cupid (Eros) is the son of the goddess of love, Venus (Aphrodite)—he's depicted as winged and often holding arrows or a torch. Even in the earliest times, he's got a troublemaker attitude. In this statuette, he is annoying his mom, and she's got a girdle in her hand ready to slap him. 2. This tradition continued throughout European art. In this painting, a group of putti—chubby winged cupids—flutter around Venus as she attempts to seduce Mars, the god of war. This is a seduction scene, and the putti are actually helping Venus remove his armor and clothing in a playful way. 3. When you see Cupid sleeping in art, it’s a red flag that something’s up. In this piece he’s sleeping on a lion skin, the armor of the great hero Hercules. But how did he get it? Did he cause...