Cupid and Psyche (after 'The Abduction of Psyche')
Print or lithograph on paper, professionally matted and framed • After William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905)
Style & Movement
Academic Realism / Neoclassicism
Medium & Technique
Color lithography or photogravure reproduction; smooth tonal transitions suggestive of 19th-century printmaking
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th century (c. 1890-1920)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 36 inches (including frame), vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A mythological scene depicting Cupid (Eros) carrying Psyche through the clouds or over a garden. The iconography includes a swan in the lower right foreground and classical drapery, symbolizing divine love and the soul's journey.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; visible oxidation of the paper and possible light fading under UV exposure
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD (primarily for the decorative value of the vintage frame)
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Likely a high-end decorative reproduction purchased for a domestic interior; no visible gallery labels, but the frame indicates a late victorian or edwardian origin
Art Historical Significance
A testament to the massive popularity of Pierre-Auguste Cot and William-Adolphe Bouguereau in the late 19th century, reflecting the era's taste for sentimental mythological narratives and technical perfection in anatomy.
Notable Features
Housed in a refined Louis XV style gilded gesso-and-wood frame with scrolling acanthus leaf corners and a gold-finish inner slip.
Condition Issues
Yellowing/acidic toning of the paper; minor chips and gilding loss on the ornate plaster corners of the frame; potential moisture spotting from age.
Conservation Recommendations
Installation of archival-quality, acid-free matting and UV-protective glass; professional cleaning of the frame's gilded surface