The iconography of this group of Hope combines elements from diverse traditions. The anchor is the traditional Christian symbol of 'Hope', derived from the Epistle to the Hebrews 6:19. The blindfold, likewise, is often symbolic of 'Hope'. Ripa (op. cit.) explains the presence of the blindfolded suckling putto as an indication of the intimate relationship between Love and Hope.
The French characteristics of the present group are related in style and sentiment to two groups of Venus and Cupid from the Fontainebleau School. One group (Gibbon, op. cit., fig. 88) shows Venus blindfolding Cupid; and the other, which shows the two figures standing side by side and reaching out to each other, was attributed to Francavilla (Sotheby's, 15 July 1955, lot 21).
The treatment of the figures and the general style of the present group are similar to a group of Venus and Cupid initialled FB, for Francesco Bordoni (Etude Couturier-Nicolay, Hotel Drouôt, Paris, 17 June 1986, lot 152). Bordoni (1580-1654) was the assistant and then son-in-law to Francavilla. He succeeded his master in 1615 as Premier Sculpteur du Roi. The style and theme of these two bronzes are also developments from those of Barthélémy Prieur, who died in 1611.