CUPID/EROS 

Schiavone, Andrea. "The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche." The Metropolitan Museum of Art, ca. 1540, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437638.

LISA THANADABOUTH

Personal View on "The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche"

Andrea Schiavone's painting, "The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche," showcases love, transformation, and human nature through the lens of mythology. This essay explores my interpretation of Schiavone's work, aiming to highlight how it reflects mythological storytelling's depth and its emotional connection with today's viewers. I will analyze the painting's details, composition, and themes to reveal its underlying messages. Specifically, I'll discuss how Schiavone's portrayal of Cupid and Psyche's divine union symbolizes the universal narrative of love's triumph over challenges and mirrors our own quest for extraordinary love. This analysis seeks to highlight the painting's timeless relevance, showing how love can drive personal growth and change.

The story of Cupid and Psyche is a tale of love, jealousy, and redemption. Psyche, the youngest and most beautiful of three sisters, attracts the envy of Venus, who commands her son Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with a vile creature. Instead, Cupid falls in love with her. Psyche's sisters, jealous of her happiness, trick her into betraying Cupid's trust, causing him to leave her. Psyche then embarks on a series of impossible tasks set by Venus in an attempt to win back Cupid's love. With the help of various creatures and divine intervention, she completes the tasks. Ultimately, Cupid rescues her from a final trial, and Jupiter grants her immortality so she can be with Cupid forever. The story concludes with their joyful wedding feast on Olympus (Morford, Lenardon, & Sham, 2023).

"The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche" brings to life the mythological tale of a god and mortal's union, filled with a dynamic array of characters. Schiavone's Mannerist style is evident in the painting's elaborate detail and creative take on classic themes (The Metropolitan Museum of Art). Central to the artwork is Psyche, presented nude to highlight her humanity and vulnerability. This contrasts with the divine attire of the gods around her, setting a clear distinction between mortal and immortal beings. Cupid is depicted not as a child but as a strong adult, emphasizing love's mature aspect. His posture towards Psyche suggests protection and guidance towards immortality.

Schiavone uses a mix of soft and vibrant colors to draw attention to Cupid and Psyche, setting them apart from the surrounding festivities through strategic lighting. This visual technique underscores the importance of their union amidst the chaos. On a personal level, the painting speaks to the transformative power of love, suggesting it can elevate one's status spiritually and emotionally. Psyche's transition from mortal to divine, thanks to her relationship with Cupid, symbolizes the growth and enlightenment love can bring.

Moreover, Schiavone's work connects with universal truths about seeking meaningful connections that go beyond the mundane. It celebrates love's ability to unite different worlds, inviting viewers to ponder love's significance and impact on our lives. The painting's appeal transcends its era, resonating with audiences through its exploration of love's role in human experience. By tapping into enduring themes, "The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche" remains a relevant narrative that prompts reflection on love's transformative potential (The Metropolitan Museum of Art).

In light of my knowledge of the original myth of Cupid and Psyche through class readings, I believe Schiavone's painting is a close and evocative representation of the myth's central themes. While the painting does not capture every detail of the myth, it effectively conveys the essence of love's triumph and the transformative power of Psyche's journey. The depiction of Cupid as a mature adult rather than a child aligns with the myth's portrayal of him as a powerful, divine being capable of profound love. The focus on the union of Cupid and Psyche highlights the culmination of their trials and the joy of their ultimate reconciliation. Overall, the painting resonates with the spirit of the original myth, emphasizing the enduring appeal of love's ability to rise above obstacles and transform individuals.

Elissa Khoury

An In-Depth Look into "The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche"

Andrea Schiavone is known for his works that touch on Greek mythology and the themes behind them in rich detail and vibrant colors, and "The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche" is no exception. As in all Greek myths, the story of the love and union of Psyche and Cupid is as complex and intricate as the conclusion of their marriage. Schiavone’s painting captures the essence of their love in all of its complexities and how a marriage between the god of love and a human came to be. In this essay, I will analyze this painting by describing its intertwined details and comparing it to the portrayal of Psyche and Cupid in the myth of their love, and how they come together to tell a story of love and how sometimes it is not an easy road to get to the one you belong with.

The painting in itself is very romantic, but the colors and details further give it a dreamlike essence. The blues and pinks provide the viewer with an atmosphere of love and the softness and pureness that accompany it, and the mere details of Psyche and Cupid alone show how affectionate and loving they are towards one another. The painting is almost a finale to the story of Psyche and Cupid, in which Venus, Cupid’s mother, fueled by her jealousy, sends Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with an unworthy man. Struck by his own arrow, Cupid falls in love with Psyche himself and the story of their complicated relationship begins in which Psyche is banished to a mountain and Cupid visits her every night, soon betrayed by her. Psyche then does everything she can to win back Cupid’s love and is finally reunited with him by the Gods (Royal Collection Trust 2024).

Schiavone does an excellent job of portraying the dynamic between Psyche and Cupid in this painting. Cupid’s wings and bow are set aside as he lovingly faces Psyche in an almost protective manner, and Psyche, adorned in beautiful cloth and jewelry, is presented nude to show how vulnerable she is and what a journey she has been through for Cupid’s love.

Overall, I think that "The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche" is a beautiful depiction of love and its trials and tribulations. The story of Cupid and Psyche is as complicated as it is beautiful as they fight through jealous sisters, mothers, and various obstacles against them. I think a lot can be drawn from this painting and story and can be applied to our modern-day conceptions of love and how we deal with obstacles that we face in terms of the ones we love.

Work Cited

Morford, Mark, Robert J. Lenardon, and Michael Sham. “Classical Mythology”. 12th ed., Oxford University Press, 2023.

Schiavone, Andrea. "The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche." The Metropolitan Museum of Art, ca.

1540, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/437638

“The Story of Cupid and Psyche, c.1695–7.” Royal Collection Trust, www.rct.uk/the-story-of-cupid-and-psyche-c-1695-7-0#:~:text=The%20Story%20Psyche%20is%20so,consult%20the%20oracle%20of%20Apollo. Accessed 16 Feb. 2024.