Amor en Psyche 1772 - 1837

Pietro Fontana made this print, Amor en Psyche, sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. It depicts a classical subject matter that was of great interest during the Neoclassical movement. The image shows the embrace of Cupid and Psyche. We can see Fontana reference classical statuary in his composition and rendering of the human form. This interest in Greco-Roman antiquity was a widespread cultural phenomenon, and it was shaped by institutions such as the art academy, museums, and the Grand Tour. This piece reflects the period's fascination with the aesthetic ideals and mythological narratives of ancient Greece and Rome. It does so in a way that promoted a certain vision of beauty, love, and cultural heritage. To better understand this image, we might look at how academies taught artists to draw from classical models, or how museums collected and displayed ancient sculptures. This artwork's meaning is something that is contingent on its social and institutional context.