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CUPID AND PSYCHE.

It will be remembered that Cupid, after his marriage with Psyche, used to pass the nights with her, but that he fled at the dawn, in order not to be seen by her, who had married him though she supposed him to be a monster.

M. Picot did this picture, in 1817, whilst at Rome; it is one of the most agreeable subjects that can be seen. When it was exhibited in the saloon of 1819, it was justly admired, and obtained merited applause. The body of Psyche is in the bloom of beauty and her attitude is both natural and graceful. The figure of Cupid is of an admirable lightness: although one of his feet rests on the ground and the other touches the couch, yet, it is perceptible that the youthful god has no need of those means to support himself, and that he is on the point of cutting through the air to ascend to Olympus.

The colouring of this picture is rather grey; yet the tone is well harmonized. The effect of the light is conducted with great perfection, and the manner in which it is distributed produces a happy result; since, passing between the two personages, the body of Psyche is in full light, whilst that of Cupid is wholly in shadow, excepting the right arm, the left leg, and some of the outlines which the light glides over. This picture is in the apartments of his Royal Highness the Duke of Orleans. It has been engraved by Burdet; and done in lithography by Grevedon and Planat.

Width, 9 feet 6 inches; height 7 feet 9 inches.