Love of Cupid and Psyche 1644

Jacob Jordaens painted with oils on canvas the Love of Cupid and Psyche, a mythological scene. The winged Cupid is poised with his arrow, an attribute of love since ancient times. In a way reminiscent of the Renaissance, it reminds us of Eros, whose arrows, dipped in nectar, ensured immediate infatuation. The tale of Cupid and Psyche, immortalized by Apuleius, carries the motif of love tested by trials. Psyche, whose name means "soul," had to overcome a series of challenges set by Venus, eventually earning her immortality and union with Cupid. It symbolizes the soul's journey towards divine love and redemption. The soul is purified through suffering, much like we see in Boticelli's illustrations of Dante's Divine Comedy. This allegorical tale is a visual representation of the human condition, exploring the depths of love, jealousy, and the quest for self-discovery. Cupid's arrow, like a recurring dream, pierces through time, resurfacing in art and literature, reminding us of the eternal power of love.