Panoramic wallpaper "The Story of Psyche" published by Desfossé & Karth

Exceptional cycle of wallpapers representing the story of Psyche in 12 grisaille paintings by the Desfossé & Karth factory Circa 1872.

 Origin:
 Christie's sale of September 28, 1995.
 By descent through the former owner

 Museum:
 A similar (from the same period) but incomplete series is held at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. Inv. HH 2


 The twelve panels depicting the story of Psyche refer to Jean de La Fontaine's novel *The Loves of Psyche and Cupid* (1669), itself inspired by Apuleius's tale *The Golden Ass* (2nd century). This panoramic decoration was created from a composition by Louis Laffite, who himself drew inspiration from François Gérard and Pierre-Paul Prudhon, two renowned painters of the Neoclassical period. The style of these panels, which notably feature antique furniture inspired by Jacob, is therefore unsurprising.

 The creation of this work was a technical challenge, as no motif is ever repeated from one panel to the next. The grisaille effect actually required 23 colors, and the entire project demanded 1,245 engraved woodblocks, all printed by hand. This considerable undertaking was rewarded, as the Joseph Dufour factory that produced it received a silver medal at the Exhibition of Products of French Industry in 1819.
 The version on display is a reissue from 1872 produced by the firm Desfossé and Karth, which speaks to the enduring success of this panoramic view.


 Dimensions (the length): 182 x 54 cm. / 72 by 22 ½ in. Total dimensions of the cycle: 182 x 1404 cm. / 72 by 583 in.


 The 12 paintings represent the story of Psyche in this chronological order:
 1. Psyche's parents consulting the oracle of Apollo, panels 1 and 2. Two panels. H.1.82m x W.1.08m.
 2. Psyche abducted by the Zephyrs, panels 3 and 4. Two panels. H. 1.82m x W. 1.08m
 3. Psyche at the Bath, panels 5 to 8. Four panels. H. 1.82m x W. 2.16m
 4. Psyche showing her jewels to her sisters, panels 9 to 12. Four panels. H. 1.82m x W. 2.16m
 5. Psyche attempting to stab Cupid, panels 13 and 14. Two panels. H. 1.82m x W. 1.08m
 6. Abandoned Psyche, panel 15. One panel. H. 1.82 m x W. 0.54 m
 7. Psyche Found by a Fisherman, panels 16 and 17. Two panels. H. 1.82m x W. 1.08m
 8. Psyche bringing Venus a vase of water from the Fountain of Youth, panels 18 to 20. Three panels. H. 1.82m x W. 1.62m
 9. Psyche Going to the Underworld, panel 21. One panel. H. 1.82m x W. 0.54m
 10. Psyche Returning from the Underworld, panel 22. One panel. H. 1.82m x W. 0.54m
 11. Reconciliation of Venus and Psyche, panels 23 to 25. Three panels. H. 1.82m x W. 1.62m
 12. The Marriage of Psyche and Cupid, panel 26. One panel. H. 1.82 m x W. 0.54 m