The artwork, “Love and Psyche,” created by William-Adolphe Bouguereau in 1899, is an exemplary piece of Academicism rendered in oil on canvas. Measuring 128 x 220 cm, this mythological painting resides within a private collection. This masterful composition captures the timeless romance of its mythological subjects.
The artwork depicts the tender and intimate moment between Love (Cupid) and Psyche as they ascend towards the heavens. Psyche, with delicate butterfly wings, is embraced lovingly by Cupid, who possesses majestic angelic wings. Bouguereau’s skillful rendering of their ethereal forms juxtaposed against the soft, cloud-filled backdrop exemplifies his meticulous attention to detail and profound understanding of the mythological narrative. The interplay of light and shadow on their bodies, combined with the graceful intertwining of their limbs, creates a harmonious and dynamic composition that evokes both the beauty and transcendence of their divine love.
