Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss
Canova, Antonio
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Date
1787-1793Description
Detail, left half from the front; Canova took his inspiration from a legend recounted by Latin author Lucius Apuleius in Metamorphoses. Canova seems to have undertaken extensive research before beginning this complex composition, whose inspiration is a Roman painting found in Herculaneum, a city the sculptor visited during his stay in Naples in 1787. Eros (Cupid in Latin) revives Psyche after she has tasted from a flask brought from Hades. It was designed to be looked at from several angles: this is why it could originally be turned on a mobile base, using the handle on the right. Source: Louvre Museum [website]; http://www.louvre.fr/ (accessed 4/15/2011)
Type of Work
sculpture (visual work)Subject
deities, literary or legendary, mythology (Classical), Neoclassical, Eighteenth century
Rights
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only