The composition is inspired by the History of Psyche and Cupid found in the novel Metamorphoses written in the 2nd century AD by Apuleuis. The scene depicted is when Psyche awakes Cupid by accident by spilling hot oil from her lamp onto him. Startled he flies away, leaving her on the bank of a river. Cupid is seen flying away followed by Psyche behind the blue curtain to the right of the tapestry. Surrounded by a decorative border including fruit and flower.
The composition is likely to be inspired by one of the windows commissioned by Anne de Montmorency for her chateau d'Ecouen. Removed for safety during the revolution and installed at the Chateau de Chantilly in a gallery built for it.
France c. 1640
The tapestry has been washed, had some minor repairs and been fully lined with a fine linen backing and is ready to hang.
HEIGHT: 338 cm (11'1")
WIDTH: 256 cm (8'4"")