Bust of Psyche 1825 - 1850

Luigi Rosi’s cameo, "Bust of Psyche" presents us with an intimate, miniature world carved from layered agate. The Neoclassical style, with its revival of classical forms, offers a lens through which to consider how ideals of beauty and femininity were constructed and circulated in the 19th century. Psyche, the Greek goddess of the soul, appears here in profile, her delicate features and elaborate hairstyle typical of the era's aesthetic preferences. Yet, the sensuality in the carving is palpable, hinting at a complex interplay between desire, representation, and the male gaze. The choice of a cameo, a medium often associated with portraiture and commemorative objects, positions Psyche as an object of both artistic and personal value. Consider how the act of carving itself—the slow, deliberate removal of material—mirrors the ways in which identity is shaped through cultural and social forces. It asks us to ponder the agency of Psyche, trapped, as she is, within the amber.