Much to her surprise, she did not see a monster, but rather a god — a magnificent god. Find more prominent pieces of mythological painting at Wikiart.org – best visual art database. Zeus, in turn persuaded Venus to invite Psyche into their heavens. There is a white one above symbolizing purity and goodness, light and innocence. They are even portrayed as majestic or angelic figures, capturing the natural spirit of destiny's truest fulfillment. In fact, he would watch her sleep at night and flee her bedside by dawn religiously. But when she learned that she was pregnant, her curiosity overwhelmed her — she had to see her lover's face. The Metamorphoses remained unknown in the 13th century, but copies began to circulate i… (Bulfinch, 8). Psyche was given a drink of Ambrosia, which endowed her with eternal immortality, and most importantly, eternity with Cupid. (Bulfinch, 6) Cupid had every intention of appeasing his mother; however, once he had set eyes on Psyche, he too had fallen captive to her beauty and charm. Inscribed bottom right: W. BOUGUEREAU P. / H. GODET SCPT / Salon des Beaux-Arts 1896.Foundry mark bottom right: E. Schmoll 80 RUE DE TURENNE Paris 1995.30. This emergence can be paralleled to the artistic means by which Psyche seems as though she is emerging beyond the butterfly wings behind her. © 1999-2020 Art Renewal Center. David's depiction conveys their love-story in more realistic terms, through the use of a materialistic setting. Many of the highlights of this fable are constantly depicted in pieces of art. Working with the Psyche and Eros myth, finding techniques to engage its meanings and messages, is a gift that helps bring the immortal dimensions of love and soul into the mortal arena of human existence. In the meantime, Cupid was recovering from his wound, and growing desperate with the absence of his one, true love — Psyche. Media related to Psyche at Wikimedia Commons Venus, the Goddess of Love, in a jealous rage over the beauty of Psyche, asks her son Cupid to use one of his arrows to make Psyche fall in love with the most grotesque creature on earth. However, the different works of Bouguereau and David have provided a new level of appreciation for the personality of Psyche. You need JavaScript enabled in your browser to use this website effectively. In response, she complained to her son, Cupid. The background is bursting with light, as if dawn has just fully broken. One can assume that Bouguereau used this color to depict the royalty awaiting them in the heavens above. This portrayal endeared the star — crossed lovers to its observers, in that their passion seemed innate and uplifting.Despite their blending with nature, the sheath covering them ensures a level of privacy for the young lovers. Their physical bodies seem to be intertwined as one — the very essence of the union of marriage. Woven into the graceful folds of Greek mythology, are the classic concepts, motifs, and markings which Western civilization has adopted as its own. It was also interesting that Cupid is portrayed here without his bow and arrow, his trademark. Cupid visits Psyche's palace and gets a taste of life as a mere mortal on earth. She was born a mortal woman, with beauty that rivaled Aphrodite.Psyche is known from the story called The Golden Ass, written by Lucius Apuleius in the 2nd century A ring of gold stars surrounds the gold butterfly, which symbolizes virginity. He was so sorrowful that he leaned over to kiss his beloved. This painting entitled "The Abduction of Psyche", also known as "L'enlèvement de Psyché" (french), was painted by William-Adolphe Bouguereau in 1895. 1896 Bronze, 33 1/2 x 12 x 11 in. The background in these paintings provides yet another dimension for comparison. After the catastrophe, Venus forgave them and they lived together. She asked him to "infuse into the bosom of that haughty girl a passion for some low, mean, unworthy being, so that she may reap a mortification as great as her present exultation and triumph." The Abduction of Psyche was depicted by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, which was depended on Greek mythology.It was said that Psyche, the daughter of a king, was a beauty who worshiped as a goddess by citizens, which angered Venus, so that Venus decided to punish her that she has to married the world’s most humble person. Despite their similar states of nudity, they are very different. Here in David's portrayal of Cupid and Psyche, Cupid has his typical weapons of love — his bow and arrows (resting by the side of the bed). It was said that Psyche, the daughter of a king, was a beauty who worshiped as a goddess by citizens, which angered Venus, so that Venus decided to punish her that she has to married the world’s most humble person. ‘The Abduction of Psyche’ was created in c.1895 by William-Adolphe Bouguereau in Realism style. The apotheosis of Psyche Jealous of Psyche's beauty and furious at the union of this mere mortal and her son Cupid, the goddess Venus inflicted a series of trials on the young woman, who overcame them successfully. Whereas, it is Cupid who is hastily fleeing the luxurious palace. He had a difficult start in his career, but he was able to attain a long, successful career as an academic painter, showing his works in the annual Paris Salons. It is presently part of a private collection. It is also worth noting that both Cupid and Psyche lay completely exposed in their nudity. It depicts the angel Cupid carrying Psique, the mythical Greek goddess, in his arms. On the other hand, Bouguereau used a natural setting with undefined clouds and bright light. However, small Cupid who famous as Venus’s son, fell in love with this pure and innocent girl, so he ignored his mother’s will and married with Psyche, which led to house confinement of him. In the mythological painting of The Abduction of Psyche, Bouguereau highlighted the subtleties of the human body with delicate brushwork to present the theme of love. He begged Zeus, the king of the gods, to allow the union of Psyche and him. He flew away from Psyche at once. This oil on canvas piece holds dimensions of 120 cm by 209 cm, roughly 4 ft. by 7 ft. David's piece, Cupid and Psyche used the velour of a rich, red, draped backdrop to invoke an atmosphere of sex and intimacy within a loving relationship. Bouguereau's painting depicts the characters of Cupid and Psyche as immortal lovers, transcending the world below. David's piece reflects blushing innocence — a typical trait of adolescence. Today, Psyche is known from a story called The Golden Ass, written by Lucius Apuleius in the 2nd century.. Related page.