GUGLIEMO PUGI | PSYCHE

Stylistically reminiscent of the Art Deco, this enchanting marble takes as its subject a figure from classical myth: Psyche, who is represented with her characteristic butterfly wings. The lover of Cupid, Psyche suffered numerous trials at the hands of the vengeful goddess Venus before being finally united with the God of Love. She is here shown about to open the jar given to her by Venus to collect a scrap of beauty from the goddess Proserpina. Despite Venus' orders not to open the jar, Psyche's curiosity overwhelmed her and, as a result, she fell into deep slumber. Antonio Canova famously depicted the aftermath of this event, in which Cupid revives her with a kiss.

Guglielmo Pugi is known for his genre sculpture in marble and alabaster, and he had a large international client base. He founded a workshop in Florence, which later expanded to include his sons, Gino and Fiorenzo.