The Marriage Of Cupid & Psyche —created in Rome, Italy, around 1517, is an artwork attributed to the renowned artist Raphael. This piece exemplifies the artist's use of harmonious composition and delicate detail to depict the mythical union of the God Cupid and the mortal Psyche. The Work is noted for its graceful figures and the serene interaction that highlights the blend of divine and human elements. Raphael's depiction captures a moment of celebration and union, employing a compositional Balance that reflects Renaissance ideals. The artwork is currently displayed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Genealogy
The Marriage Of Cupid & Psyche situates itself within the rich mythological narrative of classical Antiquity, drawing from sources such as Apuleius’s Metamorphoses, also known as The Golden Ass, where the tale of Cupid and Psyche is elaborately described. This narrative frames the artwork's intellectual Context, intertwining Love, Beauty, and divinity. The title, The Marriage Of Cupid & Psyche, signifies the union of these figures, symbolizing the triumph of love and the Soul's ascension to divine status. Key figures in this narrative include Venus, whose jealousy and trials for Psyche propel the story, and Jupiter, who ultimately Sanctions the marriage, underscoring the confluence of mortal struggle and Divine intervention. Historically, the artwork has been invoked to explore themes of erotic love, spiritual transcendence, and the interplay between divine caprice and human endeavor. It stands alongside other depictions of Cupid and Psyche, offering variations on the Theme of love's trials and eventual fulfillment. Over centuries, this tale has been appropriated and adapted, from its Renaissance revival as an Allegory of humanist ideals to modern interpretations that recontextualize it within psychoanalytic and feminist discourses. Its historical uses include serving as a didactic tool to promote moral virtues, while misuses arise when it is stripped of its mythological depth, reduced to mere romantic sentiment. The artwork’s underlying Structure reveals the negotiation between earthly Passion and divine aspiration, a discourse that continues to evolve as it resonates with Contemporary themes of identity, Desire, and spiritual fulfillment. Positioned within the broader framework of mythological , The Marriage Of Cupid & Psyche captures the perpetual Dance between love and the soul, reflecting enduring questions about human Experience and its divine dimensions.
