Gibson learned to carve marble in Rome from the great Neo-Classical sculptors Antonio Canova and Bertel Thorvaldsen. Cupid, one of his most popular sculptures, was inspired by an Italian Renaissance poem that tells of the young god of love dressing up as a shepherd to work his magic—or mischief—on some local shepherds and nymphs. Gibson describes Cupid’s gesture as welcoming, stressing the charming deceit of this powerful deity, and the soft carving, gentle expression, and spiraling curls add to the effect.