Les amours de Psyché et de Cupidon (The Loves of Psyche and Cupid) is La Fontaine’s retelling of the story of Cupid and Psyche, based on the second-century Metamorphoses or The Golden Ass of Lucius Apuleius Madaurensis. The tale concerns the overcoming of obstacles to the love between Psyche (‘soul’ or ‘breath of life’) and Cupid (‘love’ or ‘desire’), and their ultimate union in a sacred marriage. From the rediscovery of Apuleius’s works during the Renaissance, the story has been retold many times in poetry, drama, opera, painting and sculpture. Jean de La Fontaine’s (1621–95) poetic version, Les amours de Psyché et de Cupidon, was first printed in 1669, and was much used in later adaptations of the story. The version used for this Briffaut edition was adapted by the prolific writer Louis Perceau.

The Carlègle illustrations for this edition are typical of his work, with his trademark minimalist drawings skilfully enhanced with watercolour. His ability to create characters and lively expressions with just a few strokes of the pen mark him out as one of the period’s pre-eminent illustrators.

The Carlègle-illustrated Les amours de Psyché et de Cupidon was published by Georges Briffaut, Éditeur, in a limited numbered edition of 1,230 copies.