L'Amour au Repos is likely to be a replica of a larger composition, as it was customary of Bouguereau to do smaller versions of his larger compositions for commercial purposes. The theme of Eros was one which had interested Bouguereau since the early 1860s. It is interesting to note that Bouguereau's 1891 Salon entry, L'Amour Mouille (Christie's, New York, October 10, 1985, lot 91), also featured a standing cupid. L'Amour au Repos dates from the same year and, in it, Bouguereau elaborated on the classical motif by detailing the temple and pedestal next to the figure of Eros.