Study for "Cupid and Psyche" c. 1865

Curator: Edward Burne-Jones, born in 1833, created this sketch, "Study for 'Cupid and Psyche,'" now residing at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought is that it seems to depict immense burden; she's carrying something heavy, physically or metaphorically. Curator: Absolutely. The bowed posture and shrouded form evoke weariness, but also resilience, hinting at Psyche's arduous trials. The bundle she carries becomes a symbol of accumulated experience and endurance. Editor: The way the charcoal catches the light makes the drapery feel alive, almost like flowing water, while her downward gaze keeps her isolated in her own world. Curator: The story of Cupid and Psyche explores themes of love, loss, and redemption, echoing in visual motifs of Classical art. Her downward gaze might represent her vulnerability. Editor: It's a beautiful blend of strength and vulnerability; a reminder that carrying our burdens can also refine us. Curator: Indeed, a beautiful meditation on transformation through suffering, reflected in the mythic story.