Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss (Italian: Amore e Psiche [aˈmoːre e ˈpsiːke]; French: Psyché ranimée par le baiser de l'Amour; Russian: Амур и Психея, romanized: Amúr i Psikhéja) is a sculpture by Italian artist Antonio Canova first commissioned in 1787 by Colonel John Campbell.

[1] 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.

[8] Antonio Canova's fine technique in carving marble contrasts their realistic smooth skin with the surrounding elements.

Fine curls and lines make up the hair and light feathery details create realistic wings upon the landing Cupid.

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.

[2] "Delicately purging her of the Sleep, which he put back in its original lair the [jar], he roused Psyche with a charming prick of his Arrow.

[14] Canova was a wildly successful independent sculptor and his skill and talent is evident within his works such as Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss.

Antonio Canova in his studio with Henry Tresham and a plaster model for Cupid and Psyche by Hugh Douglas Hamilton , c. 1788–1791 [ 7 ]
Alternative view from behind showing Cupid's arrows and the flask Psyche brought from the underworld, Louvre
Alternative view from side showing detail on Cupid's wings, Hermitage version