'Cupid and Psyche,' a large French marble sculpture by H. Godet

This sumptuous work of marble sculpture is by French artist Henri Godet (1863-1937), and depicts the mythological couple Cupid, god of love, and Psyche.

A pupil of fellow French sculptor Mathurin Moreau, who also worked in the Neoclassical style, this superb group takes for its subject the moment the god of love Cupid seizes upon his paramour, Psyche. It is sculpted in the same mode as another work also by Godet, Le Ravissement de Psyche, and both of these take inspiration from the art of William-Adolphe Bouguereau, in particular L'enlèvement de Psyché.

As well as being an exceptional gifted artist, Godet is known as quite an entrepreneur and marketer of his own work, regularly producing brochures for his own sculptures, in order to publicize and share his work with as large an audience as possible. Artistically, he is best known for his female busts, often decked with flowers, and large sculptural groups based on the theme of love, as demonstrated by this exquisite work.

It is signed and dated 'Henri Godet, 1909.' The pedestal shown can be seen in more detail here, and makes an exceptionally well-matched display piece for this beautiful work of art.