1574
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
Cupid and Psyche is a 1574 by Giorgio Ghisi, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This painting shows Cupid and Psyche on a couch with their daughter between them, surrounded by symbols of love and abundance. The scene is based on a story by Apuleius, and the artist's use of light and shadow makes it feel sensual and luxurious. Check out the technique of chiaroscuro to learn more about how artists like Ghisi created rich contrasts of light and shadow.
Crowned with laurel wreaths, Cupid and Psyche recline on a couch with their daughter Voluptas between them. Ceres, goddess of fertility and abundance, pours water on Cupid’s hand. The scene is derived from a story by Apuleius (about AD 124–170) narrating Psyche’s adventures leading up to her marriage to Cupid. The rich contrasts of light and shadow that Ghisi achieved in this engraving make this print especially sensual and luxurious. It reflects his later style and the different textures he was able to achieve in human bodies, silky drapery, and lush foliage.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Giorgio Ghisi (1520 — 15 December 1582) was an Italian engraver from Mantua who also worked in Antwerp and in France.
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