Cupid and Psyche 1821

William Etty's painting, Cupid and Psyche, now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, presents a scene of classical myth rendered in oil on canvas. Painted in England, sometime before 1849, the scene presents a challenge to British social mores of the time. The artist daringly presented nude figures in a sensual, intimate pose. This embrace of sensuality connects to the broader history of the Royal Academy and its project to elevate British art through the study of the human form. However, the artist’s treatment of the subject matter also invites questions about the power dynamics inherent in the myth. Cupid, the god of desire, is often depicted as a powerful figure. But here he is presented as soft and sensual. Psyche, on the other hand, exudes more earthly vulnerability. Understanding these nuances requires us to explore the complex interplay of artistic ambition, social constraints, and classical influences that shaped Etty's vision. Examining contemporary reviews and exhibition records can help us reconstruct the painting’s original reception and its place within the artistic landscape of its time.