Illustration nr. 20 til "L`Amour et Psyché" 1862

Editor: So, this is Lorenz Frølich’s Illustration nr. 20 til "L`Amour et Psyché", created in 1862. It’s a pencil drawing, and the mood feels ethereal, like a dream. What's your take on this piece? Curator: It’s interesting to see this depiction of the Cupid and Psyche myth through a 19th-century lens. The Romantic era often revisited classical stories, reinterpreting them through the framework of contemporary social and political concerns. Do you notice anything about how Frølich portrays the relationship between Cupid and Psyche? Editor: I see a tenderness, but also a power dynamic. Cupid seems dominant, almost protective of Psyche. She appears quite dependent on him. Curator: Exactly! Considering the historical context – the restrictive societal roles imposed on women in the 19th century – might Frølich be subtly commenting on these unequal power dynamics? How does that contrast to earlier portrayals, say from antiquity, where Psyche is a goddess in her own right? Editor: That’s a great point. I hadn’t considered that. I guess it reflects how women's roles were changing, or rather, not changing fast enough, during that time. Curator: Precisely. Art often reflects, and sometimes critiques, the social realities of its time. And thinking about how artists engage with mythology allows us to think about contemporary expectations around relationships, love, gender roles and individual freedoms. Editor: It makes you think about how even seemingly innocent illustrations can carry so much historical weight. It makes me want to revisit some of my favourite art through that perspective. Curator: It’s a rewarding path, understanding artworks through the lens of the era and society which created them, and comparing it with where we are now.