Cupid and Psyche 1794

Antonio Canova’s “Cupid and Psyche” (1794), a neoclassical marble sculpture, depicts the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche. The scene shows the moment when Cupid awakens Psyche after she falls into a deep sleep, embracing her with his wings outstretched. This sculpture, now located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a classic example of Canova’s style, which emphasized idealized beauty and emotional expression through subtle, yet expressive details. The artwork's smooth surfaces and flowing lines highlight the idealized beauty of the human form, exemplifying the neoclassical interest in the art and aesthetics of ancient Greece and Rome.