Are you fascinated by mythology and want to find out where to admire one of the most famous depictions of Cupid and Psyche? You are just in the right place!
In the Capitoline Museums, among the many works of art that tell the story of the ancient world, is a fine sculpture depicting the two protagonists of the famous legend told by Apuleius in The Metamorphoses.
This statue, an expression of grace and delicacy, captures a moment of intense sweetness between Amore (Eros) and Psyche, two figures who symbolize the union of passion and soul.
Displayed in the evocative Gladiator Room, this work is part of the collection of ancient sculpture in the Capitoline Museums, one of the most important museums in Rome and the world.
Read on to find out the history of this fascinating sculpture, who made it, and how to arrange your visit!
ALT! If you want to admire the wonderful sculpture of Cupid and Psyche without stress, you need to book your admission in advance! The Capitoline Museums attract thousands of visitors every day and the lines at the entrance can be really long. Buy your skip-the-line ticket now and enjoy all the beauty of art without unnecessary waiting at the ticket office!
Capitoline Museums Tickets
Buy online. Choose the time you prefer. Visit the Capitoline Museums, the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library and other archaeological sites.
You can cancel for free up to the day before your visit.
- 1 Amore e Psiche Capitoline Museums: description of the work
- 2 Eros and Psyche Capitoline Museums: the author and his style
- 3 Where can you find Amore e Psiche in the Capitoline Museums?
- 4 How to see Amore e Psiche: times, tickets and tips
- 5 Visiting the Capitoline Museums: frequently asked questions
- 6 Cupid and Psyche in the Capitoline Museums: conclusion
Amore e Psiche Capitoline Museums: description of the work
Detail of the kiss between Cupid and Psyche in the Capitoline Museums
The sculpture of Cupid and Psyche preserved in the Capitoline Museums depicts the two young people in a tender embrace.
Psyche, a symbol of the human soul, is depicted as a delicately shaped maiden, while Amore (Eros) has the appearance of a winged ephebe, the embodiment of desire and passion.
Their complicit gaze and gentle gesture make this work a perfect example of the artistic sensibility of the time.
Compared to other famous versions of the myth, such as Antonio Canova’s sensual and dynamic composition, here the depiction is more restrained and composed. While in the neoclassical sculpture Canova enhances the moment of Psyche’s reanimation through a whirlwind of movement and pathos, the Capitoline version focuses more on the sweetness and serenity of the bond between the two lovers, expressing an idea of harmony and purity rather than overwhelming passion.
Capitoline Museums Tickets
Buy online. Choose the time you prefer. Visit the Capitoline Museums, the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library and other archaeological sites.
You can cancel for free up to the day before your visit.
Detail of Psyche’s robe in the Capitoline Museums
The work is a Roman copy from the Imperial age (2nd century AD) inspired by Greek models from the Hellenistic period.
The author remains unknown, but the sculpture shows the influence of artistic currents that favored the representation of ideal beauty and attention to naturalistic details.
Made of marble, the statue is distinguished by the delicacy of the expressions and the softness of the surfaces, which give the two figures an almost ethereal appearance.
The treatment of Psyche’s light, close-fitting robes and the accurate rendering of Eros’s childlike forms show the sculptor’s technical sophistication, which harmoniously balanced realism and idealization.
This version of the myth of Cupid and Psyche, while less famous than Canova’s, remains a valuable example of Roman art and its ability to elegantly reinterpret Greek models.
Where can you find Amore e Psiche in the Capitoline Museums?
Capitoline Eros in the Capitoline Museums
The sculpture of Cupid and Psyche is displayed inside the Palazzo Nuovo, one of the main venues of the Capitoline Museums museum complex.
More precisely, it is located in the Gladiator Room, so named because of the presence of the famous statue of the Dying Galata.
This section of the museum is particularly fascinating because it houses an extraordinary collection of ancient sculptures, including imperial portraits, herms and other mythological representations.
Next to Love and Psyche, one can admire masterpieces such as the aforementioned Dying Galata, one of the most touching examples of Hellenistic sculpture, and then go on to discover other sculptural wonders such as the red marble Faun to the famous Capitoline Venus.
To visit this room is to immerse oneself in a world of marble and history, a world in which each work tells a fragment of classical art and culture.
The perfectly curated layout encourages a close view of the statues, allowing one to appreciate the details and refinement of the workmanship to the fullest.
For lovers of mythology and ancient art, but not only, this is undoubtedly one of the must-see stops within the Capitoline Museums.
How to see Amore e Psiche: times, tickets and tips
Close-up of the statue of Cupid and Psyche in the Capitoline Museums
The Capitoline Museums are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with last admission allowed one hour before closing.
There are several options for purchasing tickets, among which we highlight:
- Standard ticket, which gives access to the entire museum complex and temporary exhibitions.
- Ticket with guided tour, which combines the right of access with the accompaniment of an expert guide, which is essential in order to fully understand the history of the museum and each work contained therein.
- Combined tickets, which are special formulas that include access to other attractions in the city with significant discounts.
But if you want to know all the options for booking your visit online, from the comfort of your own home, all you have to do is read this dedicated article of ours.
Visiting tip: To avoid crowds, we recommend that you visit the museum in the early morning hours or late afternoon, especially on weekends and during peak tourist season.
In addition, buying your ticket online will allow you to skip any lines at the entrance, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable experience.
And if you want to immerse yourself even more in art and mythology, consider combining your visit to the sculpture of Cupid and Psyche with an itinerary to discover the other mythological works in the Capitoline Museums!
Visiting the Capitoline Museums: frequently asked questions
The sculpture of Cupid and Psyche exhibited in the Capitoline Museums is located in the Palazzo Nuovo, more precisely in the Gladiator Room. Other famous versions of the myth, such as the one by Canova, are kept in different museums: the original is in the Louvre, while a plaster copy is on display at the Galleria d’Arte Moderna in Milan.
The Capitoline Museums are home to one of the most extraordinary collections of ancient art in the world. Here you can admire masterpieces such as the Capitoline She-Wolf, the Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius, the Dying Galata, the Capitoline Venus, and numerous works from the Roman and Greek periods.The museum is divided mainly between the Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo, connected by the impressive Lapidary Gallery.
The work is located in the Hall of the Gladiator in the New Palace of the Capitoline Museums. This room is named after the famous Dying Galata, one of the most exciting sculptures in Hellenistic art.
One of the most famous plaster reproductions of the sculpture of Cupid and Psyche is kept at the Galleria d’Arte Moderna in Milan. Canova’s plaster, on the other hand, is in the Canova Museum in Possagno, the sculptor’s hometown.
Cupid and Psyche in the Capitoline Museums: conclusion
Rear view of the Dying Galata with the statue of Cupid and Psyche in the background
Well, here we are at the end of this rich insight into the most romantic work in the Capitoline Museums.
We have seen together how the sculpture of Cupid and Psyche in the Capitoline Museums is a fascinating work, combining art, mythology, and history into a single masterpiece.
A statue that, in addition to its aesthetic beauty, is an important testimony to neoclassical taste and the fortunes of myth in ancient and modern art.
If you are a fan of mythology, classical art, or if you simply want to be enchanted by one of the most evocative love stories of the Greco-Roman tradition, you absolutely cannot miss the opportunity to admire this sculpture up close.
To help you in your visit, I have provided you with all the essential information about museum hours and entrance fees, with the addition of a few helpful tips for a truly optimal and stress-free experience.
I have also answered the most frequently asked questions, anticipating what might be your doubts. But if you have any questions or curiosities, write them down below-we‘ll be happy to answer them!
And if you too can’t wait to admire the beautiful sculpture of Cupid and Psyche with your own eyes, don’t delay! Book your visit now to avoid waiting and secure access to one of Rome’s most fascinating museums!
Capitoline Museums Tickets
Buy online. Choose the time you prefer. Visit the Capitoline Museums, the Ancient Agora, the Roman Agora, Hadrian’s Library and other archaeological sites.
You can cancel for free up to the day before your visit.
