The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche
Original title: The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche
kurzbeschreibung
James Gillray published 'The Marriage of Cupid and Psyche' in 1797, taking up the mythological wedding of the two figures. Executed as an aquatint in brown ink, the work brings Psyche into focus as the female protagonist, surrounded by four cherubs.
Description
A woman in flowing robes, her face hidden by a headdress, stands at the center of the image. Four winged boys surround her; one carries a crown, another a rope. An oval frame encloses the group and draws the eye to the figures. Below the motif appears the inscription 'The MARRIAGE of CUPID & PSYCHE'. Brown tones dominate the entire sheet, with the aquatint producing soft gradations of tone.
Context
The caricature was made in 1797, a period of political and social change in Britain. Gillray presumably alludes to events or people of his time, although the specific reference cannot be identified with certainty. The artist was known for his satirical prints and often used mythological subjects to comment on current affairs.
Impact
The oval frame and delicate aquatint give the sheet an elegant, almost neoclassical feel that stands in tension with Gillray's often coarser satire. Because the main figure's face remains hidden, a sense of distance arises along with room for interpretation, which sparks the viewer's curiosity.
Technique
The sheet was printed as an aquatint in brown ink, a process that allows fine tonal gradations. This creates a nuanced play of shadows that models the figures softly. The print on paper with an oval image field combines precise line work with painterly effects characteristic of Gillray.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)