Cupid and Psyche - William-Adolphe Bouguereau
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Description
A classic 1890 oil painting by William-Adolphe Bouguereau depicting the mythological figures of Cupid and Psyche in a tender embrace.
William-Adolphe Bouguereau, a leading figure of the French Academic tradition, painted this work in 1890. It depicts the mythological figures of Cupid and Psyche as children, a common motif in his later career. The composition focuses on the tender interaction between the two, with Cupid bestowing a kiss upon Psyche. Bouguereau employs his characteristic smooth brushwork and precise anatomical rendering to create a soft, porcelain-like quality to the skin of the figures.
The figures are positioned atop a cloud, draped in a deep blue cloth that provides a contrast to the pale flesh tones. Cupid is shown with feathered wings, while Psyche possesses butterfly wings, referencing the classical myth where she is often associated with the butterfly as a symbol of the soul. The background is a soft, atmospheric sky, which keeps the attention fixed on the central embrace.
Bouguereau was highly regarded during his lifetime for his technical proficiency and his ability to idealise the human form. This work reflects the late nineteenth-century interest in classical themes, presented with a polished finish that was the hallmark of the Académie des Beaux-Arts. The painting avoids harsh lines, favouring instead a gentle transition of light and shadow, known as sfumato, to model the forms. The result is a scene of quiet intimacy, characteristic of the artist's approach to mythological subjects, where he sought to balance classical rigour with a sentimental, accessible aesthetic.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Cupid and Psyche - William-Adolphe Bouguereau
Artist Biography
William Adolphe Bouguereau
At the height of his career he was arguably the most commercially successful painter alive. His large-scale nudes, classical mythological scenes, and religious paintings were technically flawless in a way that impressed collectors and enraged the avant-garde in equal measure. The Impressionists despised him as the embodiment of everything academic painting did wrong: slick, idealised, emotionally vacant. After his death in 1905, the avant-garde buried his reputation for nearly a century.
Three of his children died in infancy. Their mother Nelly died in 1877. His mother made him swear, after Nelly's death, never to remarry while she lived. He honoured the oath. His engagement to his student Elizabeth Jane Gardner lasted seventeen years. They married in 1896, after his mother died at ninety-one. Gardner was herself a notable painter, the first American woman to exhibit at the Paris Salon. His reputation has undergone a reappraisal since the late twentieth century.
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