The artwork, titled “Psyche Opening the Golden Box,” was created by John William Waterhouse in 1903. Rendered using oil on canvas, this piece belongs to the Romanticism movement and falls within the mythological painting genre.
In the artwork, a solitary figure, Psyche, is depicted seated on a rocky ledge amidst a natural, wooded environment. Draped in a softly flowing pink garment, she appears to be gently prying open a small, ornately decorated golden box. Psyche’s posture conveys a sense of curiosity and anticipation, her delicate form and serene expression capturing the essence of a mythological narrative. The background, composed of rugged rocks and subtle vegetation, complements the central figure and enhances the ethereal ambiance. The subdued palette and detailed rendering exemplify Waterhouse’s romantic and mythological artistry.