Psyche Honoured by the People 1697

Curator: Here, we're looking at Luca Giordano's "Psyche Honoured by the People," painted in 1697. Editor: The first thing I notice is the pure theatricality of it all. Everyone is positioned *just so*. I mean, she looks like a blonde, baroque stage goddess! Curator: Exactly! Giordano was a master of theatrical compositions. He used oil paint to create such dramatic lighting and dynamic movement. It's not just pretty—it is actively *doing*. Editor: All those upturned faces. What do you think they're looking at in the clouds, just over Psyche's left shoulder? Some airy goddesses and a cherub? Curator: More angels. The scene illustrates a story from Apuleius's *The Golden Ass,* in which Psyche, after many trials, is finally recognized for her divine beauty and grace by all, even heavenly figures. Editor: So, it's a payoff. And given how Baroque the style is, this would have been consumed by wealthy elites in grand settings, right? Think about all that expensive pigment used! Look at the lapis lazuli in Psyche's robe. All for show! Curator: True, the materials tell a story of patronage and wealth. Giordano wasn't just depicting mythology, but crafting status for his clients. Beyond the show, I love how Giordano used brushwork; see those loose, expressive strokes in the figures' hair. A feeling that goes deeper than mere representation. Editor: So, thinking of it from our point of view, is there anything timeless in what it represents? In its composition? Does this capture anything essential about human need? Curator: Giordano’s ability to balance meticulous detail with painterly flourishes—those flashes of humanity amid all that pomp. I think, yes, a very essential rendering. Editor: Very nicely put. To see so much in an instant can be very rewarding. Curator: And what could be more rewarding than finding something worth more than gold when you engage with the creative process?