Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss
Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss is a sculpture by Italian artist Antonio Canova first commissioned in 1787 by Colonel John Campbell. It is regarded as a masterpiece of Neoclassical sculpture, but shows the mythological lovers at a moment of great emotion, characteristic of the emerging movement of Romanticism. It represents the god Cupid in the height of love and tenderness, immediately after awakening the lifeless Psyche with a kiss. The story of Cupid and Psyche is taken from Lucius Apuleius' Latin novel The Golden Ass, and was popular in art.
First version, in the Louvre, Paris, France
Alternative view from behind showing Cupid's arrows and the flask Psyche brought from the underworld, Louvre
Alternative view from side showing detail on Cupid's wings, Hermitage version
Image: Amor Psyche Canova JBU04
John Campbell, 1st Baron Cawdor
John Campbell, 1st Baron Cawdor, FRS FSA, was a Welsh art-collector and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1777 to 1796.
Portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds
Isabella Caroline, Countess of Cawdor (1771-1848) by Sir William Beechey