Cupid and Psyche

(Francois-Edouard Picot)

A pivotal painting in the career of the artist, this firmly established Picot as a painter committed to the traditions of the classical school even though modified by an awareness of his contemporary romantics. For the supporters of the academic tradition, Picot was an exemplar of traditional values; he maintained his belief in superb draughtsmanship without compromise. His palette is more naturalistic, and his brushwork more sensuous than the neo-classical traditions in which he was reared, however, and this is apparent here.

This exquisite reduction was produced for the Duc de la Richefoucauld d’Estissac, a discriminating collector of the restoration period.