Illustration nr. 5 til "L`Amour et Psyché" 1862

Curator: This delicate engraving is titled "Illustration nr. 5 til `L`Amour et Psyché`" by Lorenz Frølich, created in 1862. It's currently housed at the SMK in Copenhagen. The medium combines both engraving and what appears to be watercolour. Editor: Oh, it has such an ethereal feel! The lightness of the lines against that aged paper makes it look like a dream just barely held together. Curator: Absolutely. Frølich was illustrating the classical myth of Cupid and Psyche here. You see Psyche reclining, almost floating, while figures attend to her, nestled in an ornate, almost baroque, chamber. There's also text included directly within the image itself, further blurring the line between illustration and literature. Editor: It really emphasizes the voyeuristic quality often associated with these narratives of idealized feminine beauty. The text almost acts as a barrier but also an invitation, right? Is it speaking directly to Psyche, describing the pampering she receives? Or is it for us, the audience? The power dynamics seem really pertinent in understanding how female desire was so often policed, especially by male artists. Curator: A fascinating point. There's a definite power imbalance inherent in the myth itself, and Frølich's depiction could definitely be seen to highlight those aspects. He may be reflecting, perhaps even subtly critiquing, those established tropes. Look at the active participants, not Cupid, of course; it is the “genies” the other servants around Psyche in this illustration. It all lends an exotic, otherworldly quality, like a stage production in itself. Editor: True, this image really seems to unpack the construction of luxury and comfort surrounding femininity. It becomes a theatrical space where gender roles and societal expectations are constantly performed. Curator: Well, for me, stepping into this image felt like drifting on clouds, all those gossamer strokes. Editor: For me, it highlights questions of power and objectification still being asked today! The performance is everything.