Illustration nr. 17 til "L`Amour et Psyché" 1862

Curator: Welcome! Before us is "Illustration nr. 17 til 'L`Amour et Psyché,'" created in 1862 by Lorenz Frølich. This print, an engraving to be exact, resides here at the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. The artist has chosen an oblong frame enclosing the central figures of a classic myth. Editor: The delicate line work gives it such a dreamlike quality. The scene feels very much caught between dimensions. Almost ghostly with its muted tones, but animated. Is that supposed to be Cerberus down below? Curator: Indeed! We're witnessing Psyche's journey to the underworld. Notice how Frølich has chosen to depict Cerberus, the three-headed dog, guardian of the underworld, but in a softer and much approachable manner. It reflects the visual culture where the classical world was frequently reshaped and reimagined for a contemporary, often bourgeois, audience. Editor: It's a fascinating contrast, the way Frølich depicts Psyche herself with such classical grace and the almost playful depiction of Cerberus. There's a strong thematic tension here. She extends an orb in front of Cerberus. The dog seems curious, but the text that flanks the frame reminds me that it should probably be feared and enticed by food to guarantee safe passage for Psyche! Curator: Absolutely! Frølich uses imagery to soften mythological and, in essence, social and religious barriers for his audience, making the intimidating understandable. It echoes how mythology can provide a toolkit for artists to dissect contemporary norms. The original narrative of “Amour et Psyché” explores themes of love, betrayal, and reconciliation. This piece seems less interested in fear and anxiety, or suffering for one’s curiosity like Eve in the Garden of Eden, but rather more focused on the hope of problem solving for ultimate reconciliation. Editor: Thank you, such insights really add to my experience! I never would have been aware of this print's connection to storytelling around feminine themes without this audio guide! Curator: Precisely the point; by linking narrative with images we enhance its relevance to our everyday understanding of social themes!