Cupid and Psyche, after Thorwaldsen c. 19th century

Curator: This is Luigi Pichler's "Cupid and Psyche, after Thorwaldsen," a small-scale gem impression. Pichler, active until 1854, replicated Thorwaldsen's neoclassical sculpture. Editor: It’s a tender scene, almost ghostly in its whiteness. The embrace looks so fragile, like it could crumble at any moment. Curator: The choice of material allows for a broader commentary on reception of classical ideals during the Neoclassical period and beyond. Editor: But, considering the myth, doesn't that fragility reflect the precarious nature of trust and vulnerability within relationships? Curator: Absolutely. And the size invites an intimacy, a personal connection with themes of love and the soul that continue to resonate. Editor: It's a reminder that even iconic stories, when scaled down, demand a different kind of attention, one that might question the grand narratives we inherit.