Tapestry 'Marriage of Psyche'

This is a tapestry from the Renaissance. It depicts the wedding of Psyche, described in Lucius Appuleius' second-century work 'The Metamorphoses' (later called The Golden Ass). The theme of the wedding of Psyche was very popular in Renaissance art. Based on the original attribution, it was thought that the tapestry might represent the story of Kings Saul and David. The revised attribution and the analogies suggest that the scene depicting the wedding of Psyche is from Book VI of Apuleius' The Golden Ass: "When he [Jupiter] had spoken these words, he [Jupiter] commanded Mercury to summon all the gods to a council.... > "And you, gods, recorded in the books of the Muses, all of you doubtless know this young Cupid, whom I have nourished with my own hands, and the raging flame of his first youth I thought best to curb and confine. <...> He has chosen a girl favourable to himself and taken her virginity, let us let him have her and, in the embrace of the Psyche, feel his pleasures. <...> Then he took the cup of immortality and said, "Hold it, Psyche, and drink it to the full, so that you may be immortal, and Cupid will never leave this place, and he will be your husband forever." Immediately there was a great banquet and marriage feast, and Cupid sat down with his dear spouse between his arms: Juno with Jupiter and all the other gods in order. <...> Apollo bowed graciously over the harp, Venus danced to the music..."
In the center, Zeus (Jupiter) is depicted seated on an ornate throne, wearing a crown, holding a scepter in his left and a golden chalice in his right hand. At his feet are two white doves, sacred birds of the goddess Aphrodite (Venus), representing love. An eagle, the symbol of Zeus, is seen on the ruler's right side. The quiver with arrows in the foreground evokes the attributes of Amur. On the left side of the composition, Eros (Cupid), wearing a blue tunic, and Psyche, a girl in a festive dress, are shown holding hands. Between Psyche and the King is a young man with a wreath of flowers, holding a torch. On the ruler's right stands Aphrodite herself, holding the folds of her dress with her left hand and embracing the ruler with her right. On the right side of the composition is Juno, the goddess of marriage and fertility, seated next to Apollo, who is holding a harp. In front of the couple is Juno's symbol, a peacock, with its colourful tail spread out. Cardboard author Isaac Moillon (1614-1673) was born in Paris to Nicolas Moillon, a Protestant painter. He painted landscapes, beasts and ornaments for the tapestry cartons of Simon Vouet (1590-1649), and collaborated with the Aubusson weaving workshop.