Cupid and Psyche
The painting depicts the crucial moment of the tale recounted by Apuleius in
The Golden Ass. The beautiful Psyche is opposed by Venus because of her beauty, and is thus hidden by the latter’s son Cupid, who goes to visit the girl every night without revealing himself to her. Overcome by curiosity, however, Psyche discovers the features of her nocturnal lover, who is awoken by a drop of oil from her lamp. Cupid is thus forced to abandon Psyche who, after going through terrible trials, manages to join Cupid in the realm of the Gods.
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