Psiche svenuta (Psyche fainting)

myminifactory

Apuleius' novel "Metamorphoses" spins a tale of Psyche, the stunning subject of this statue, who fell prey to Venus' envy and captured the heart of Cupid, the goddess's own son. As part of her trials set by Venus, Psyche embarks on a perilous journey to the underworld, only to return and lift the lid of a box she believed held the essence of beauty within. However, inside the box lay an eerie and deadly sleep that instantly overcame her, sending her into a deep slumber. This poignant moment is exactly what Tuscan sculptor Pietro Tenerani (1789-1869) conveys in this exquisite sculpture, one that reflects his delicate style honed under Bertel Thorvaldsen's guidance and influenced by the Italian purist movement, making this story a recurring theme in his work.