Cupid and Psyche
1849
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1849
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Dominant colour
Cupid and Psyche is a 1849 by Wilhelm von Kaulbach, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This sketch shows two figures in a quiet moment. One person sits with their back to us, draped in a loose cloth, while the other leans over them, holding a scroll and a winged arm raised as if in thought. The lines are soft but precise, with some shading to suggest fabric and skin. Notice how the artist uses fine, layered lines to build up shadows—this is called *cross-hatching*. It’s a way to add depth without heavy color. Check out the technique: cross-hatching to see how artists use it to create texture.
