Psyche descends to the Underworld, oil on canvas, mid-17th century

Name: Psyche descends to the Underworld, oil on canvas, mid-17th century
SKU: 2102-1716210134-91576
Price: 26000.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

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Item description

Spectacular Italian painting from the second half of the 17th century. An oil on canvas work of considerable size depicting a mythological subject of great charm, Psyche descends to the underworld. Legend has it that the princess Psyche was so beautiful that she attracted the wrath of Venus. The goddess then sends her son Cupid to punish her, but instead of making her fall in love with a monster, the arrow falls on his foot, making him fall madly in love with the girl. The God takes her to his castle but never reveals himself because he only reveals himself in the darkness of the night. Having discovered her husband's identity, the young girl must face countless trials and the last, most difficult, will be the descent to the underworld to ask the Goddess Persephone for some of her beauty. Having fed Cerberus, who we find depicted below, the princess presents herself before Hades and his wife, who grants her a casket or ampulla with strict orders not to open it. But one knows that curiosity is a woman and on the way back she opens the ampulla which in reality contains a deep sleep that puts the beautiful Psyche to sleep. At this point Eros finally intervenes, awakening the maiden and asking Jupiter to unite them forever, making her a Goddess in her own right. A painting of remarkable pictorial quality, with great dynamism typical of the mature Baroque. The God of the Underworld and his consort occupy the centre of the composition while we find Psyche at the foot of the steps leading to the throne. Note at the top left two rare angels with masterfully painted bat wings. The whole scene is developed within a splendid architecture that gives depth to the composition, while in the distance we see the damned suffering the pains of hell. A monumental work, suitable for a large reception hall. It features a small 20th-century wooden wand, with some signs of time. Painting that has undergone restoration with re-staining, replacement of the frame and repainting in places (see photo). Overall in good state of preservation.

ID: 2102-1716210134-91576