Eros and Psyche: Design for a Ceiling n.d.

François Boucher created this drawing, "Eros and Psyche: Design for a Ceiling," during the Rococo period, a time when art was used to project the luxury, leisure, and carefree existence of the aristocracy. Boucher, as a favorite artist of Madame de Pompadour, epitomized this aesthetic, often depicting mythological scenes with a light, sensual touch. Here, we see Eros and Psyche surrounded by cherubs, their bodies intertwined in an eternal dance of love. The tale of Eros and Psyche, where love triumphs over adversity, would have resonated with the aristocratic patrons of the time, who also wanted to believe in a world of everlasting beauty and romance, far removed from the social inequalities that fueled the French Revolution. Notice how Boucher uses soft lines and delicate shading to create a sense of intimacy and tenderness between the figures. The composition, with its swirling forms and dynamic energy, invites the viewer to lose themselves in the dreamlike world of the gods, and how, even amidst chaos, the pursuit of love remains a central theme.