Eros and Psyche
Jean-Claude-Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non
1766
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Jean-Claude-Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non
1766
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This etching shows Eros, the Greek god of love, holding Psyche, a mortal princess. Soft brown ink blends their forms against a plain background. Psyche looks up at him with a quiet expression. The artist printed this in two steps. First, he etched the lines. Then he used aquatint to create the gentle shading that gives the print its velvety feel. The technique lets light play across the figures. Check out this print in person at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
