James McArdellEnglish, 1765Cupid and Psyche
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Chicago, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
James McArdell was a talented Dublin School mezzotint engraver who also published his own prints. Here he capitalized on the Leiden painter Godfried Schalken’s fleeting fame. Schalken produced numerous nighttime scenes, and for this mythological mezzotint, the choice of illumination is particularly apt. Cupid fell in love with the mortal Psyche. Unable to keep her promise to meet with him solely in the dark, she lit an oil lamp, thereby learning her secret lover was divine. Overcome with his loveliness, she spilled the burning oil, waking him. Only after she succeeded in three seemingly impossible quests could they finally marry.
Art Institute of ChicagoCC BY 4.0
Particulars
- Accession number
- 2011.266
In the catalog
Sources
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Image: Art Institute of Chicago — CC0
