Psyche in het paleis van Amor 1647 - 1714

This engraving by Sébastien Leclerc I depicts Psyche in the palace of Amor. Psyche, on her throne, embodies the soul, her presence surrounded by divine homage in a magnificent palace. Consider the cherubs, or putti, that populate this scene. In classical antiquity, these winged figures represented Amor himself, or were attendants to Venus, the goddess of love. But their lineage stretches further back, reminiscent of ancient Eros figures. These figures reappear throughout history, adorning Renaissance paintings as symbols of divine love. These cherubs, forever young and buoyant, evoke a feeling of eternal bliss and untainted affection. They are not merely decorative; they are carriers of cultural memory, reminders of humanity's enduring fascination with love, beauty, and the eternal dance between desire and fulfillment. Through Leclerc's engraving, these symbols of Amor are reborn, continuing their cyclical journey through art history, evolving yet retaining their essence.