The Abduction of Psyche

The Abduction of Psyche: William-Adolphe Bouguereau

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Art Type: Oil Painting
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William-Adolphe Bouguereau Oil Painting - The Abduction of Psyche

Work Overview: The Abduction of Psyche
Le ravissement de Psyché
William-Adolphe Bouguereau
Date: c.1895
Style: Realism
Genre: mythological painting
Dimensions (cm): 120.0 x 209.0
Format: Oil on canvas
Location: Private collection

“Each day I go to my studio full of joy; in the evening when obliged to stop because of darkness I can scarcely wait for the morning to come... if I cannot give myself to my dear painting I am miserable.” – Adolphe William Bouguereau

In 1895, Adolphe William Bouguereau painted ‘The Abduction of Psyche’ (known in its original language as ‘L'enlèvement de Psyché’), a magnificent oil on canvas that reflects the mythological love story of Cupid and the mortal woman, Psyche. The painting is set against a dazzling background, a sky rampant with purples and whites, suggesting daybreak and new life.

In order to better appreciate ‘The Abduction of Psyche’, the tale of Cupid and Psyche needs to be told. Venus, the Goddess of Love, in a jealous rage over the beauty of Psyche, asks her son Cupid to use one of his arrows to make Psyche fall in love with the most grotesque creature on earth. Cupid consents to his mother’s request, but as he leans over to view Psyche, one of his arrows accidentally falls forward and pierces him, causing him to fall in love with her. The painting shows Cupid holding onto Psyche in a loving embrace as he carries her to the Other world to become his wife. Psyche’s newly emerged butterfly wings are symbolic, signifying that she has now become immortal. Her facial expression is one of contented bliss, and her pliant body appears soft and vulnerable. Cupid’s arms closely envelop Psyche, relaying a message of possession, while Psyche’s pose implies complete surrender.

In an article written in 2001 by Language of Art student Sharrell E. Gibson, some interesting observations are made with regards to ‘The Abduction of Psyche’: “Finally, the ever-present white light in the background lends an aura of resurrection and new life. It was also interesting that Cupid is portrayed here without his bow and arrow, his trademark. Perhaps, he no longer needs his bow and arrow, because he has finally kindled the love of his life - Psyche.”

Adolphe William Bouguereau’s masterpiece ‘The Abduction of Psyche’ is currently part of a private collection.

"William Bouguereau is unquestionably one of history's greatest artistic geniuses. He was arguably the greatest painter of the human figure in all of art history. His figures come to life like no previous artist has ever before or ever since achieved. He wasn't just the best ever at painting human anatomy, more importantly he captured the tender and subtlest nuances of personality and mood. Bouguereau caught the very souls and spirits of his subjects much like Rembrandt. Rembrandt is said to have captured the soul of age. Bouguereau captured the soul of youth.

"The story of Cupid and Psyche was one of Bouguereau's favorite myths. He painted several works inspired from this legend, such as The Rapture of Psyche, Psyche and Cupid, and Psyche. The myth of Cupid and Psyche first appears written in The Golden Ass of Lucius Apuleius in the 2nd century AD. In the story, Psyche is a beautiful princess of whom the goddess Venus is jealous. In her rage she orders her son cupid to make Psyche fall in love with a monster, but Cupid falls in love with her himself. After several trials Cupid and Psyche make their plea to the gods who turn Psyche into an immortal and allow them to be married in heaven.

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William-Adolphe Bouguereau

Work Overview