Zephyrus Bearing Psyche to the Mountain 1881

Edward Burne-Jones painted 'Zephyrus Bearing Psyche to the Mountain', illustrating the classical myth of Psyche, sometime before his death in 1898. The story is visualized through potent symbols: winged Zephyrus carrying Psyche, her slumbering figure, and the looming mountain. Zephyrus, the gentle west wind, is a motif found as early as ancient Greek pottery, where he is often depicted in flight, signaling change and transformation. The image of carrying or bearing a figure is an ancient gesture found in Egyptian art, where gods carry pharaohs to the afterlife, promising protection and passage. The mountain, a recurring symbol, is a site of revelation and trial, seen in Moses' ascent on Mount Sinai or Christ's temptation. Psyche's journey mirrors these trials, her emotional and psychological state portrayed through the mountain's imposing presence. The slumbering figure resonates with us all. Psyche, at rest, invites our empathy. It's as if Burne-Jones understood that deep emotions of love, loss, and hope transcend time, engaging viewers in a profound, almost subconscious dialogue. This symbol persists, echoing across centuries in art, literature, and our collective dreams, forever shifting in meaning.