Cupid pursuing Psyche

myminifactory

Gibson created numerous drawings, engraved illustrations, and sculptural reliefs inspired by Apuleius's tale of Cupid and Psyche. Three marble versions of this design were crafted, with the first being commissioned for the Duke of Northumberland in 1854 (Alnwick Castle) and another for Mr. Henry Sandbach at Hafodunos Hall, likely created around the same time. A third version is housed within the Royal Academy of Arts' collection in London. Gibson described the story as presenting numerous varied images and was seemingly haunted by its theme of mortal suffering redeemed through heavenly happiness, a concept he closely associated with his own life and platonic love for Mrs. Sandbach (see No. 7505). The relief, one of Gibson's most spirited designs, draws clear influence from Thorvaldsen's "Day" and "Night" (Nos. 7503 and 7504 in this Gallery), representing no specific episode from Apuleius's narrative but rather an abstracted exploration of love's struggle for the human soul.