Cupid and Psyche

myminifactory

The tale of Amor's love for Psyche, as told by Apuleius in ancient times, continues to captivate artists with its endless inspiration: Every night, Psyche welcomes her lover Amor, who still refuses to show his face or reveal his identity, and Psyche gives in to her curiosity, sneaking up on the sleeping Amor in order to catch a glimpse of his true form by the light of an oil lamp. Inadvertently, a drop of oil falls onto Amor's skin, causing him to flee in shock. Only after Psyche has faced numerous challenges and the gods have given their blessing, can she finally marry her lover in the heavens above. For his first major work of art, Begas chose the most dramatic moment in the story - when Psyche leans over her lover - and created a sculpture that showcases his mastery of classical style. The composition is built within a broad-based triangle, with Psyche's head reaching its highest point, while the base is a harmonious oval plinth. Every detail, from surface to shape, demonstrates Begas' move towards softer, more painterly modeling that would soon define the neo-Baroque style.