Cupid and Psyche by Antonio Canova The New Hermitage (room 241) State Hermitage Museum and Winter Pa
Cupid and Psyche by Antonio Canova The New Hermitage (room 241) State Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace, Saint Petersburg - Russia The italian sculptor Antonio Canova made two versions of this sculptural group of Cupid and Psyche; one is now in the Louvre, Paris and another one is in the State Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg. The poetic legend of Cupid and Psyche is told by the Roman writer Apuleius. Cupid’s mother, the goddess Venus, envious of the beauty of her son’s beloved, despatched Psyche into the Underworld to fetch a vessel containing Proserpina’s beauty ointment, forbidding her to open it. Psyche could not resist looking inside the flask and immediately fell into a deep sleep. Only the kiss of Cupid returned her to life. The composition of this group is based on smooth rhythmic lines, and the light movement of the figures, the graceful gestures and decorative approach make this one of Canova’s loveliest sculptures. Sculpture | Hermitage -- source link
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