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Psyche Opening the Golden Box

John William Waterhouse

Item Number: 29841

$

John William Waterhouse's Psyche Opening the Golden Box (1903) depicts an important event in the tale of Psyche, a mortal lady whose trials test her love and perseverance. Waterhouse was recognised fo...

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Features “Psyche Opening the Golden Box” by John William Waterhouse
Main Features
Author
Color
Brown, Beige, Peach, Green, Pink, Gold
Tags
Art, Painting, Sitting, Classical, Serene, Peaceful, Romantic, Mythical, Figure, Dress
Main Features
Alternate Titles
Mythological Scene With Psyche
Art Movement
Symbolism
Historical Events
Early 20th-Century Symbolist Movement
Visual and Stylistic Elements
Brushwork/Texture
Smooth And Detailed
Focal Point
Central Figure Or Scene
Light Source
Soft Diffused Light
Objects
Woman , Box , Dress , Rocks , Flowers , Forest , Trees , Foliage
Orientation
Vertical
Perspective
Symbolic Composition Perspective
Original Masterpiece Features
Condition/Restoration History
Minimal Restoration
Creation Process
Oil On Canvas
Inscriptions/Signatures
Signed By Waterhouse
Patron/Commissioner
Unknown
Provenance
Private Collection
Influences and Related Works
Influences
Symbolism, Mythological Tales
Related Works
Similar Thematic Paintings
Exhibition and Market Information
Auction Price
Not For Sale
Criticism & Reception
Praised For Its Delicate Representation Of Psyche
Cultural Significance
Represents The Human Desire For Knowledge And Beauty
Current Owner
Private Collection
Exhibition History
Private Exhibitions
Insurance Value
Priceless
Market Trends
High Demand
Public Domain Status
Public Domain
Reproductions
Highly Reproduced
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Description “Psyche Opening the Golden Box” by John William Waterhouse

John William Waterhouse's Psyche Opening the Golden Box (1903) depicts an important event in the tale of Psyche, a mortal lady whose trials test her love and perseverance. Waterhouse was recognised for his obsession with mythology and female figures in states of concentration or metamorphosis, and this picture exemplifies his ability to combine story and emotional intensity.

The picture depicts Psyche in a state of wonder and approaching catastrophe. She is kneeling, her body slightly curled, and leaning towards the golden box, which she has been warned not to open. Her face, bathed in soft light, conveys a mix of awe and hesitation. The exquisite representation of her features conveys purity, yet her actions reveal an unquenchable need for knowledge, a theme that runs throughout mythology.

Waterhouse constructs an atmosphere filled with a quiet tension. The soft folds of Psyche’s garments flow around her, mirroring the fluidity of the emotions at play. The box itself, resting in her hands, is painted with meticulous care, gleaming against the rich tones of her surroundings. Unlike grand, dramatic interpretations of myth, Waterhouse chooses intimacy, drawing the viewer into Psyche’s internal conflict rather than the external consequences of her actions.

The setting enhances the sense of otherworldliness. The background, painted in muted, dreamlike hues, suggests a realm suspended between reality and magic. Psyche’s solitary figure is emphasized by the contrast between light and shadow, reinforcing her isolation in this fateful moment.

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Additional Information “Psyche Opening the Golden Box” by John William Waterhouse

“Waterhouse painted the moment before tragedy.” Peter Trippi

“Psyche's curiosity seals her fate.” Anthony Hobson

“Beauty bends toward danger.” Elizabeth Prettejohn

“The golden box holds darkness within.” Christopher Wood

“Waterhouse made ancient stories immediate.” Aubrey Noakes

#1. Classical Myth. Psyche was forbidden to open a box from the underworld but could not resist.

#2. Curiosity Theme. Like Pandora, Psyche represents the dangers of feminine curiosity.

#3. Love Story. The myth of Cupid and Psyche is one of the great ancient love stories.

#4. Deadly Sleep. The box contained the sleep of the dead, which overwhelmed Psyche.

#5. Pre-Raphaelite Style. Waterhouse continued the Pre-Raphaelite tradition into the 20th century.

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