Artwork Page for Psyche Throwing Herself into the River

Details / Information for Psyche Throwing Herself into the River

Series Title: The Legend of Cupid and Psyche

Psyche Throwing Herself into the River

1865–68
designer

William Morris

(British, 1834–1896)

Edward Burne-Jones

(British, 1833–1898)
Culture
England, 19th century
Medium
wood engraving
Measurements
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.)
Credit Line
Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1981.90
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

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.
A vertically oriented wood engraving in black ink depicts a woman with light skin tone. She leans forward toward our right, hands clutching her face. Her long, dark hair billows horizontally behind her to our left. Dense hatching defines the figure and sky, while the river below is rendered in sketchy, horizontal lines. Thin white highlights contour the folds of her gown as she stands before undulating hills.

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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