Art Analysis of Antonio Canova's, Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss
Art Analysis #2
Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss Antonio Canova (1757 – 1822), considered the greatest sculptor of his time in Europe, and because he was his work became a model for many sculptors. Canova was known for the way he was able to represent Romantic Classicism, something that at the time was valued. He was able to take daring ideas and turn them into images that were seductive in elegance and form. One of Canova’s sculptures stayed true to his neoclassical approach. His sculpture titled Psyche revived by Cupid’s Kiss (1802), which is a great example of how he stayed true to the neoclassicism. What this sculptures purpose is to depict the love story of Psyche and Cupid. What is going to be done using the sculpture as an example, both a formal and contextual analysis. Formal analysis focuses on what elements are being used in the artwork. This statue, made from marble, uses two key elements in art. Those elements are the use of line and texture. When looking at the statue you can see the use of line. Starting from Psyche’s there is a line that makes the eye travel up her body which leads to her arms wrapped around Cupid’s head. What this is able to do it to get the onlooker’s eye to go directly to the focal point of the piece that tells a lot of the story is the faces of Psyche and Cupid. Line also is able to take your eye around the sculpture, this allows for the entire full round sculpture to be seen. Allowing that to occur gives the on-looker the ability to see detailing that helps them see the story throughout the work. Texture, if you were to go up to the sculpture and feel it, something that is not advised, would be very smooth. By having the work be smooth instead of rough, helps with the overall feeling that may be provoked when looking at the painting. The sculpture, if not knowing the background, is a able to create and airy romantic sense about it which allows the on-looker a more deeper outlook of what may be going on is the sculpture.
Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss Antonio Canova (1757 – 1822), considered the greatest sculptor of his time in Europe, and because he was his work became a model for many sculptors. Canova was known for the way he was able to represent Romantic Classicism, something that at the time was valued. He was able to take daring ideas and turn them into images that were seductive in elegance and form. One of Canova’s sculptures stayed true to his neoclassical approach. His sculpture titled Psyche revived by Cupid’s Kiss (1802), which is a great example of how he stayed true to the neoclassicism. What this sculptures purpose is to depict the love story of Psyche and Cupid. What is going to be done using the sculpture as an example, both a formal and contextual analysis. Formal analysis focuses on what elements are being used in the artwork. This statue, made from marble, uses two key elements in art. Those elements are the use of line and texture. When looking at the statue you can see the use of line. Starting from Psyche’s there is a line that makes the eye travel up her body which leads to her arms wrapped around Cupid’s head. What this is able to do it to get the onlooker’s eye to go directly to the focal point of the piece that tells a lot of the story is the faces of Psyche and Cupid. Line also is able to take your eye around the sculpture, this allows for the entire full round sculpture to be seen. Allowing that to occur gives the on-looker the ability to see detailing that helps them see the story throughout the work. Texture, if you were to go up to the sculpture and feel it, something that is not advised, would be very smooth. By having the work be smooth instead of rough, helps with the overall feeling that may be provoked when looking at the painting. The sculpture, if not knowing the background, is a able to create and airy romantic sense about it which allows the on-looker a more deeper outlook of what may be going on is the sculpture.
Cited: "Antonio Canova." Antonio Canova. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. "AHT 201 Art History ." INTRO. Springshare, n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2013 Bingley. "Myths and Legends - Apuleius." About.com Ancient / Classical History. About.com, n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.