ZEPHYR SCULPTURE IN BRONZE WITH MEDAL PATINA

Bronze bust with medallic patina representing a handsome young man with gentle eyes and butterfly wings. He is covered by a drape held in place by a bow on his chest. His bodice is decorated with a rose. In his curly hair is a butterfly. This could be Zephyr, the personification of the wind who, in the myth ofLove and Psyche, is responsible for carrying the young woman to the palace of Eros, the latter being represented in the form of a butterfly. It could also be the artist's interpretation of Psyche (very feminine face, but no breasts).

In Greek, the first meaning of the noun (psuchè) is "breath", from the verb (psuchô), "to pass a breath over". It designates the breath of life, the soul, as opposed to the body. It also means butterfly. Psyche is the personification of the human soul. Psyche is a beautiful woman, so Aphrodite is jealous of her and asks her son Eros (Love or Cupid) to make her fall in love with a repulsive being. Instead, he falls in love with her and asks Zephyr to take her away from her father, who has abandoned her on a steep rock following the oracle of Delphi. Eros joins her by night and begs her not to seek his identity. Urged on by her sisters and doubting her beloved, she takes advantage of her lover's sleep to light an oil lamp and accidentally burns him. Betrayed, he flees and she falls mad with grief and remorse. Aphrodite (Venus), learning of her son's affair with Psyche, locks the latter in her palace and subjects the lover to severe trials, which she eventually overcomes with the help of the gods (Zeus or Pan). However, during the final trial, in which Persephone is asked to recover a piece of her beauty, her curiosity once again gets the better of her, and she falls into a deep sleep. Meanwhile, Eros, whose wound has healed, escapes from Aphrodite's palace and finds his beloved, whom he revives with his arrow. Moved by this story, Zeus allows their union and marriage in Olympus. Thanks to ambrosia, Psyche becomes immortal and is endowed with butterfly wings. The story of Love and Psyche was particularly popular in the 19th century.

Late 19th century

Circa: 1890

Condition report: In good condition. light wear.

Base dimensions: 14cm x 14cm