The above picture is a painting done by William Page in 1843 titled Cupid and Psyche. Its subjects are taken from the myth in which the god of love falls into a deep love and infatuation with the woman Psyche. During the early 19th century the epic and romanticized myths of the ancient civilizations were just as popular as the actual history and ruins of the civilizations themselves. Page paints his subjects in a very romantic and intimate way, demonstrating the epic and beautiful love associated with much of the classical era. This and other paintings of the time serve to show the influence of the ancient worlds in different aspects of culture during the 1800s; art in particular.
Without the title, I wouldn't have known that the lover is supposed to be Cupid. No wings, no bow, no cute little boy face. And Psyche turns her back to us and manages to cover most of Cupid's face. This is very different from the close-up of Antony and Cleopatra kissing in profile that I showed you. This is an intimate scene too, but it excludes the viewer.
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