Cupid and Psyche. 18th century. Oil

The love story of Cupid and Psyche originates from classical mythology. Artists have portrayed this theme through the ages, because it allows for the depiction of both the emotional life of lovers and semi-nude human figures.
The story starts when Venus, the goddess of love and beauty, becomes jealous of Psyche, an earthly maiden whose beauty has been compared to her own. Therefore, she orders her son Cupid to make the young woman fall in love with a horrible being. Instead of fulfilling his mother’s command, Cupid himself falls in love with Psyche and starts visiting her at night while concealing his identity. Initially, the young woman is satisfied with the situation, but the devious advice of her jealous sisters intensifies her doubts, so she decides to find out who her beloved is and lights an oil lamp. Seeing that it is the god of love himself, she is startled and drops the lamp. A few drops of hot oil fall on Cupid’s skin and the god awakes…

Giovanni Andrea Sirani (1610–1670), who created the original painting, was an Italian painter who worked in Bologna.