The artwork “Cupid and Psyche” was created by the renowned French artist Jacques-Louis David in 1817. It is an example of the oil on canvas medium and belongs to the Neoclassicism art movement. With dimensions measuring 184 by 242 centimeters, the piece is classified as a mythological painting. Currently, the artwork is located at the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) in Cleveland, Ohio, United States.
The artwork presents a serene yet intimate scene capturing the tender moments between the mythological figures Cupid and Psyche. Embodying the Neoclassical style, David utilizes a restrained color palette and a clarity of form. The figures are portrayed in a calm repose: Psyche, reclined and gently touched by Cupid, who exhibits his characteristic wings and youthful aura. The figures occupy the immediate foreground, placed upon an ornate couch draped with luxurious fabrics, a hint at the divine status of the characters.
In the background, a glimpse of a tranquil landscape through a window suggests a setting beyond the domestic interior, contrasting with the intimate sphere occupied by the lovers. David’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the smooth rendering of skin and textures of cloth, as well as the structural details of the couch and the carefully balanced composition, all hallmarks of Neoclassicism. The sheer physical closeness of Cupid and Psyche reinforces the narrative of their love story as celebrated in classical mythology and evokes the viewer’s contemplation of romantic and ethereal love. Overall, the artwork stands as a quintessential representation of the marriage between classical themes and the aesthetic principles of Neoclassicism during the early 19th century.