Zephyr and Psyche at The Louvre, Paris

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Cupid and Psyche is a timeless tale from the Latin novel Metamorphoses, also known as The Golden Ass, penned by Apuleius in the 2nd century AD. This epic romance revolves around the unrelenting passion of Psyche, or Soul, for Cupid, aka Desire, and their ultimate union in a sacred marriage. Although the only extensive narrative from antiquity is that of Apuleius, Eros and Psyche have been depicted in Greek art since as early as the 4th century BC. The story's Neoplatonic undertones and allusions to mystery religions make it open to multiple interpretations, and it has been analyzed as an allegory and in light of folk tale, Märchen, fairy tale, and myth. Since the rediscovery of Apuleius's novel during the Renaissance, the reception of Cupid and Psyche in the classical tradition has been extensive. The story has been retold in poetry, drama, and opera, and its depiction can be found in painting, sculpture, and even wallpaper. This stunning marble sculpture by Henri-Joseph Rutxhiel, crafted in 1814, showcases Psyche's descent from a mountain to live with her future husband; for a fun summary, click this link! This breathtaking artwork is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory. Through this community-driven effort, we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access free of charge. If you have an interesting item that you'd like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help make this project a reality.