This painting is the fourth in a set of twelve in the Royal Collection depicting part of the story of Cupid and Psyche. The subject of this series comes from The Metamorphoses or Golden Ass by the second-century AD writer Apuleius: it is one of the stories that intersperse the main narrative of Lucius on his travels (Book IV para. 28 - Book VI, para. 24). The tale of the many travails endured by ill-matched lovers (one mortal and one divine) before their final happy marriage, it was interpreted in the Renaissance as a Neoplatonic allegory of the progress of the soul (Psyche means 'soul' in Greek) towards salvation through Divine Love. The outcome of their union is Pleasure.

In this painting Psyche shown three times: at the upper left, reclining on clouds blown by Zephyrus; resting on the ground at lower left; and in the centre, discovering the spring, here interpreted as a magnificent fountain by Cupid's palace. She is welcome into the palace by the voice of an invisible attendant inviting her to rest and bathe, after which she feasts. But the waiting maids are nothing but voices to her and the food is wafted in, as if on the wind. After the feast she is entertained by music from invisible performers.

Catalogue entry adapted from The Art of Italy in the Royal Collection: Renaissance and Baroque, London, 2007