Psyche at the Well

myminifactory

Psyche emerges as the most captivating figure in neo-classical sculpture, with John Gibson creating numerous interpretations of her legend (refer to No. 7272). However, it is likely that Spence's work draws inspiration from Thorvaldsen's iconic statue, "Psyche with the Jar of Beauty," crafted in 1806. This piece vividly depicts a pivotal moment in Apuleius' narrative, "Cupid and Psyche," where Venus poses an insurmountable challenge to Psyche: collecting water from the Styx River, surrounded by treacherous rocks and guarded by fearsome dragons. The sculpture poignantly captures the story's central theme of perseverance through adversity. Spence likely created this design early in his career, with two distinct versions surfacing during the 1860s.