Artwork
Merkur overtaler Psyke til at følge ham til guderne
Merkur overtaler Psyke til at følge ham til guderne is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Eric Paulsen. It is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Erik Pauelsen’s oil painting *Merkur overtaler Psyke til at følge ham til guderne* (1792) presents the mythological encounter between Mercury and Psyche set against a softly lit landscape. The composition places the two figures in the foreground, with rolling hills and a cloudy sky forming a tranquil backdrop that frames the narrative moment.
Subject & Meaning
The work illustrates the moment Mercury persuades Psyche to accompany him to the realm of the gods. Mercury is shown in classical attire, staff in hand, while Psyche appears nude, modestly covered by a draped cloth, her hand raised to her chest, suggesting a blend of vulnerability and divine invitation.
Technique & Style
Executed in the Rococo idiom, the painting employs chiaroscuro to model the figures, contrasting illuminated flesh with deeper shadows that give volume. The delicate handling of light across the sky and foliage enhances the atmospheric quality, while the smooth brushwork reflects the period’s preference for elegance and grace.
History & Provenance
The canvas entered the collection of Statens Museum for Kunst, Denmark’s national gallery, where it remains on view. Although Pauelsen was recognized for landscapes and portraits, his reputation never matched that of contemporaries such as Jens Juel and Nicolai Abildgaard, and his career ended abruptly with his suicide in 1790.
Context
Created toward the end of the 18th century, the painting reflects the continued interest in classical mythology within Danish art circles. Its Rococo sensibility aligns with the decorative tastes of the era, while the subject’s emphasis on love and divine ascent resonates with Enlightenment ideas about reason, emotion, and the human soul’s aspirations.
Artist & collection
Artist
Erik Pauelsen (2 or 14 October 1749 – 20 February 1790) was a Danish painter. He is most notable for his landscapes and was also a popular portraitist. However, he did not experience the same level of success as Jens…
