Amor e Psique
1899
Cupid is literally sweeping Psyche off her feet in this dreamy, cloud-filled embrace. Notice the tiny butterfly wings on Psyche's back? In Greek mythology, her name means 'soul,' and butterflies represent the soul's transformation. Bouguereau, a master of Academic art, painted their skin so smoothly it looks like polished marble, deliberately ignoring the messy, modern style of the Impressionists who were becoming popular next door. This scene captures the moment Cupid carries Psyche to Mount Olympus to live with the gods forever.
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