Psyche Carried Off by the Zephrys, 1824
Lithographexpand_more
Gift of Rachel and Michael McGarry in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Minneapolis Institute of Artsexpand_more 2014.147
Not on Viewexpand_more
Called the “prince of lithographers,” Hyacinthe Aubry-Lecomte was one of the leading practitioners of the new medium of lithography in Restoration Paris. He produced skillful prints after admired paintings by contemporary artists, including works by Anne-Louis Girodet (his teacher), François Gérard, and Pierre-Paul Prud’hon. This print is after Prud’hon celebrated work Psyche Carried Off by the Zephyrs. The composition was so successful, Prud’hon executed a number of autograph versions of the composition, both in painting and drawing, including a highly finished chalk drawing in Mia's collection (76.78). Aubry-Lecomte also capitalized on the great demand for this work by executing this print the year after Prud’hon’s death. A large version of the drawing, formerly in the Odiot collection, now in a Japanese private collection, was Aubry-Lecomte’s source for this lithograph.
The subject is the ancient story of Cupid and Psyche. Psyche was left by her family on a mountaintop to marry a monstrous groom, but the kindly west winds, the Zephyrs, lifted her up and transported her to Cupid’s palace.
Details
- Title
- Psyche Carried Off by the Zephrys
- Artist Life
- 1758–1823
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2014.147
- Provenance
- (Librairie Seigneur, Avignon, until 2013; sold to McGarry); Rachel and Michael McGarry, Deephaven, Minn. (2013-2014; given to MIA)
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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