The myth of Eros and Psyche: Love and Psyche
Art as a visual storytelling instrument has the ability to tell from the most obvious and literal stories to explore the deepest aspects of the subconscious and the human soul. It is said that the interpretation of these narratives is subject to the viewer's perspective and personal experience because each person who is in front of a work of visual art sees reflected in it what they already have inside, their emotions, experiences, individual perspectives, but it also pushes us to reflect and rescue certain lost debris of our own being.
In this fascinating work, the author (Luis Moscoso) narrates the Greek myth that unites Psyche (the soul) with Eros (love).
Eros being the god of love, of passionate and physical desire, represented by the horse, which overflows with enormous strength and passion.
And on the other hand Psyque, in her human beginning, is the personification of the soul, represented with a supernatural beauty.
The work narrates the rescue of Eros to Psyque, at the end of her humanity, plunged into the deepest sleep, (the soul being rescued by love).
The fact that Eros is represented by a horse is interesting, as horses are often associated with strength, nobility, and freedom. This suggests that love has the power to be a powerful and transformative force in our lives.
The image of Psyche sleeping due to Aphrodite's jealousy can be interpreted as a metaphor for how negative and destructive feelings, such as jealousy, can affect our soul and lead us to a state of lethargy or apathy.
Love, personified by Eros in the form of the horse, arrives as a rescuer, liberating Psyche from her drowsy state and bringing renewed life and energy to her being.
The way in which the artist depicts Eros's rescue of Psyche is crucial to understanding the painting's message. By showing Eros as a horse, the artist evokes a sense of movement and dynamism. This suggests that love is neither static nor passive, but active and energetic, capable of driving and revitalizing the soul.
Luis Moscoso also uses architectural elements such as vanishing points, (ropes held by nails) that represent the obviousness of each person's perspective since The ropes can guide the viewer's gaze towards a central or distant point, creating an immersion effect and realism in the scene.
The figures that go out of the box can have several interpretations. On the one hand, they can convey a sense of continuity beyond the confines of the canvas, suggesting that the scene depicted is not limited to what is shown in the painting, but extends beyond its confines. This can give rise to a sense of expansion, as if the action and narrative extend beyond the visual representation.
With meticulously placed elements throughout the work each one fulfills its function, like the mirror on Psyche's face, suggesting that the artworks are also reflections of the soul, which can be projected onto physical reality (represented by the mask that is off site)
