Cupid Finding Psyche 1867

Edward Burne-Jones created *Cupid Finding Psyche* in England during the late 19th century, a time marked by Victorian ideals of beauty and morality. The painting depicts a scene from the classical myth of Cupid and Psyche, but Burne-Jones imbues the encounter with a palpable sense of yearning. There’s an undeniable erotic tension in this piece. We see Psyche lounging in repose while Cupid gazes down at her. It is interesting to note that in many ways, the painting adheres to traditional gender roles: Psyche is passive and still, whereas Cupid is presented as an active figure. But there’s a kind of androgyny to Cupid that softens the otherwise dominant male gaze. I find myself wondering what kind of emotional state is being invoked here. Is it the longing to be found, or the fear of being exposed? Through the mythic tale of Cupid and Psyche, Burne-Jones manages to tap into our complex negotiations of love and desire.