Mythological Scene, from the Legend of Cupid and Psyche 1718 - 1868

This is Bonaventura Genelli’s “Mythological Scene, from the Legend of Cupid and Psyche.” We don't know exactly when it was made, but Genelli was alive during a time of great social and political change in Europe. Mythological subjects offered artists a way to explore human emotions and relationships through allegory. Cupid and Psyche's story touches on themes of love, betrayal, and redemption. The myth explores the nuances of desire and the role of women. The story follows Psyche, a mortal woman, who, through her beauty, aroused the jealousy of Venus and becomes the lover of Cupid, who is forbidden to reveal his identity. The scene captures both the eroticism and the emotional complexity of the story. Genelli's use of line suggests vulnerability. I am especially drawn to the tenderness of their embrace. Genelli uses the classical subject to invite viewers to contemplate the universal themes of love, identity, and the search for wholeness.