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''Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss'' is a sculpture by Antonio Canova first commissioned in 1787 by Colonel John Campbell.〔Johns, C.M.S. (1998) ''Antonio Canova and the Politics of Patronage in Revolutionary and Napoleonic Europe''. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, p. 149.〕 It is regarded as a masterpiece of Neoclassical sculpture, but shows the mythological lovers at a moment of great emotion, characteristic of the emerging movement of Romanticism. It represents the god Cupid in the height of love and tenderness, immediately after awakening the lifeless Psyche with a kiss. The story of Cupid and Psyche is taken from Lucius Apuleius' Latin novel ''The Golden Ass'',〔Apuleius. ''The Golden Ass''. trans. Lindsay, Jack. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press, 1962: 139-140.〕 and was popular in art. Joachim Murat acquired the first or prime version (pictured) in 1800. After his death the statue entered〔(A closer look at Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss ) appreciation analysis online at Louvre website (in English)〕 the Louvre Museum in Paris, France in 1824; Prince Yusupov, a Russian nobleman acquired the 2nd version of the piece from Canova in Rome in 1796, and it later entered the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. == Description == Having been recently awakened, Psyche reaches up towards her lover, Cupid, as he gently holds her by supporting her head and breast.〔Isabella Teotochi Albrizzi, Manlio Pastore Stocchi, and Gianni Venturi, ''Opere Di Scultura e Di Plastica Di Antonio Canova''. (Bassano del Grappa: Istituto di Nicerca per gli Studi su Canova e il Neoclassicismo, 2003), 76.〕 Antonio Canova's fine technique in carving marble contrasts their realistic smooth skin with the surrounding elements. Loosely draped around Psyche’s lower body, a sheet further emphasizes the difference between the texture of skin and drapery. Rough texture provides the basis of the rock upon which the composition is placed supplementing the distinctions of elements. Fine curls and lines make up the hair and light feathery details create realistic wings upon the landing Cupid. In Apuleius, Psyche had been warned by Venus against opening the jar she was given to collect a scrap of beauty from Proserpina for Venus: "’But I give you one especially strong warning. Do not open or peep into the () you carry, and repress all curiosity as to the "Imprisoned Treasure of Divine Beauty".’”〔 But she gave way to curiosity just as she had returned from her voyage into the Underworld, peering into the jar to take some of the Divine Beauty for herself. However, Proserpina had not filled it with the Beauty, but rather with the “Sleep of the Innermost Darkness, the night of Styx, which freed from its cell rushed upon her and penetrated her whole body with a heavy cloud of unconsciousness and unfolded her where she lay.”〔 It is the moment in which Psyche is “a corpse asleep” revived by Cupid that Canova chose to depict.〔 “Delicately purging her of the Sleep, which he put back in its original lair the (), he roused Psyche with a charming prick of his Arrow.”〔 Various details such as the jar behind Psyche allude to the story by Apuleius as Psyche had just opened it and had gone to sleep thus the jar remains lying beside her. Additionally, the arrow which Cupid struck Psyche with to awaken her is also found near the jar and Cupid wears a quiver next to his waist. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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