Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss

Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss is a masterwork of Neoclassical sculpture by the Italian artist Antonio Canova. Completed between 1787 and 1793, the marble group depicts the mythological moment when Cupid (Eros) awakens Psyche from her death-like sleep with a tender kiss, as recounted in Apuleius's tale The Golden Ass.

Canova captures the instant just before the kiss, with Cupid's wings spread wide and Psyche reaching upward in a graceful arc. The composition forms an elegant X-shape, with the lovers' bodies intertwining in a delicate embrace. The virtuosity of Canova's carving is evident in every detail: the gossamer-thin butterfly wings of Psyche, the feathered wings of Cupid, the soft rendering of flesh, and the flowing drapery beneath the figures.

The sculpture was originally commissioned by Colonel John Campbell and later acquired by Joachim Murat, Napoleon's brother-in-law. It entered the Louvre's collection in 1824. The work exemplifies Canova's ability to combine classical idealism with genuine emotional warmth, making it one of the most beloved sculptural works in the museum.