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The Legend of Cupid and Psyche

Psyche Throwing Herself into the River

1865–68
(British, 1834–1896)
(British, 1833–1898)
England, 19th century
wood engraving
to borderline: 10.5 x 8.2 cm (4 1/8 x 3 1/4 in.); Sheet: 13.2 x 11.8 cm (5 3/16 x 4 5/8 in.)
Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1981.90
Location: not on view
Public Domain
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Description

Psyche, a mortal, has been abandoned by her lover, the god Cupid, in this print. The young woman steps sobbing into a river as her hair flows behind her. This image is one of the few illustrations ultimately realized from an early collaboration between designer William Morris and artist Edward Burne-Jones. Centered on Morris’s retelling of ancient myths and legends, the project was abandoned after they had engraved the illustrations for one of the 24 stories because the pair was unable to find a suitable publisher. The experience ultimately led Morris to establish his own firm, the Kelmscott Press.
Psyche Throwing Herself into the River

Psyche Throwing Herself into the River

1865–68

William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones

(British, 1834–1896), (British, 1833–1898)
England, 19th century

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