Psyche transported to Heaven 

Pierre-Paul Prud'hon painted Psyche Transported to Heaven during the Neoclassical period. Here, Prud'hon beautifully captures Psyche’s ascent, carried aloft by Zephyr, the god of the west wind, and a host of cherubic figures. What strikes me most is Prud'hon's choice to depict Psyche in such a vulnerable, almost passive state. The story of Psyche, a mortal woman who becomes the wife of Cupid, is a tale of transformation, love, and ultimately, immortality. Yet here, she is presented as being transported, acted upon, rather than an active agent in her own destiny. This portrayal may reflect the social expectations placed on women of the time. The sensuality of the figures combined with the mythological subject matter offered artists a space to explore themes of love and desire. Prud'hon’s work invites us to consider the complex interplay between myth, gender, and desire. It leaves me wondering what it means to be saved, and at what cost.