Study of the Amor Figure to the Painting ‘Wedding Procession of Amor and Psyche’ 1863

Józef Simmler created this oil study of the Amor figure for his painting ‘Wedding Procession of Amor and Psyche’. Simmler was a Polish painter active during a time of national partitions and uprisings, and he is known for his history paintings and portraits. In this study, Simmler portrays the figure of Amor, or Cupid, with a nuanced sensuality that challenges classical ideals. His Amor is not the idealized god of love but rather a boy, caught in the moment of becoming. The study exposes a tension between the divine and the human. The incompleteness, the missing arm, and the unfinished edges allow the viewer to engage with the artist's process and the vulnerability of the artistic endeavor. Simmler's intimate portrayal of Amor invites us to reflect on how love, beauty, and identity are formed and perceived within the context of cultural and personal narratives.