Psyche

"Psyche" - 50x70cms

Acrylics on canvas


I first watched Psyche's story on Youtube. Click here to watch the illustrated story told in such a beautiful way.



Psyche was human, a young woman of immeasurable beauty. She was so beautiful that all men were intimidated by her. Thinking that beauty was a curse, she was abandoned by her father to the gods. Venus saw her beauty as a threat, and asked her son Cupid to make her fall in love with a monster. The god of love fell for her instead and took her to his castle, where he made love to her without revealing his identity, keeping her in the dark.

Soon enough Psyche was pregnant. Determined to know her lover's identity, sure that he was no monster, she brought a oil-lit lamp near Cupid and was surprised to find the god of love lying in her bed. To her surprise, the boiling oil fell on Cupid and burned him. He flew away.

Venus then put a series of challenges and difficult tasks that Psyche should accomplish to save her little baby and be with her lover. After going through them all with great pain, she fell into a deep sleep, and was then rescued by Cupid who made her immortal. 

She later gave birth to Pleasure, their daughter. And it is said that since then, this little family has been complicating people's love life.


Kindly note that this is a story from ancient mythology, told and retold in many different ways, like all other stories. It may vary from a book to another, or from a reference to another. Many details might differ through authors, tellers and cultures. This is not the only way to tell the story, and it might not be the original one, who knows. However, it is beautiful and a big inspiration for works of art all over the world.


Psyche means "Soul" or "Breath of life".

Cupid means "Love" or "Desire".

In this painting, I illustrate Psyche having wings to represent Cupid's immense love for her, which gave her strength and motivation to go through Venus' challenges. One of her hands is closed, showing her acceptance for love and passion and her taking control of her fate to save her love and new little family. Her other hand is open: she gave all she had, fought hard, accepted love and gave life to little Pleasure. 


If interested in purchasing this painting, you can send me an email to monicaamogg@gmail.com, or DM me through Instagram.

Y"ou may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.



Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.



Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops.

Weakened by my soulful cries.



Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines

Diggin' in my own back yard.



You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise.

[...]"

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