"Psyche," copyright 2003 by Sheryl Humphrey. Original painting is oil on canvas, 36 x 24 inches. This work was included in Brave Destiny, a huge exhibition of contemporary Surrealism at the Williamsburg Art and Historical Center, Brooklyn.
Psyche is depicted here at the edge of the Underworld --a freshly-dug grave. Cupid watches sadly from a temple or mausoleum.
"The fable of Cupid and Psyche is usually considered allegorical. The Greek name for a butterfly is Psyche, and the same word means the soul. There is no illustration of the immortality of the soul so striking and beautiful as the butterfly, bursting on brilliant wings from the tomb in which it has lain, after a dull, grovelling caterpillar existence, to flutter in the blaze of day
and feed on the most fragrant and delicate productions of the
spring. Psyche, then, is the human soul, which is purified by
sufferings and misfortunes, and is thus prepared for the
enjoyment of true and pure happiness."--from Mythology Guide website.
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