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Lesson 4. Psyche revived by Cupid's Kiss. Canova.
Before we read the text, have you visited Louvre before? What was the piece of art you liked the most?
Please read the text about this famous sculpture (focus on words in bold):
Cupid's Kiss
Antonio Canova’s famous sculpture Cupid and Psyche is a masterpiece of love and beauty. It was created in 1787 and shows a moment from an ancient legend. In the sculpture, Cupid, the god of love, leans down to kiss Psyche, a beautiful mortal. She is lying back with her arms raised to hold him. Their expressions show deep emotion, and the details of the marble are so fine that it looks alive.
The story comes from Greek mythology. Psyche was a human woman so beautiful that even the goddess Venus became jealous. Psyche faced many challenges before she could be with Cupid. At last, they reunited, and this sculpture shows the moment of their eternal love.
Canova’s work will continue to inspire people for generations. Visitors to museums are going to feel amazed by its delicate details and soft curves. The marble seems so smooth that some might believe it is made of real skin.
This sculpture is one of the best examples of Neoclassical art, which focused on beauty and harmony. If you visit the Louvre Museum in Paris, you will see Cupid and Psyche in all its glory. It is a symbol of love that is going to remain timeless.
Please read the text about this famous sculpture (focus on words in bold):
Cupid's Kiss
Antonio Canova’s famous sculpture Cupid and Psyche is a masterpiece of love and beauty. It was created in 1787 and shows a moment from an ancient legend. In the sculpture, Cupid, the god of love, leans down to kiss Psyche, a beautiful mortal. She is lying back with her arms raised to hold him. Their expressions show deep emotion, and the details of the marble are so fine that it looks alive.
The story comes from Greek mythology. Psyche was a human woman so beautiful that even the goddess Venus became jealous. Psyche faced many challenges before she could be with Cupid. At last, they reunited, and this sculpture shows the moment of their eternal love.
Canova’s work will continue to inspire people for generations. Visitors to museums are going to feel amazed by its delicate details and soft curves. The marble seems so smooth that some might believe it is made of real skin.
This sculpture is one of the best examples of Neoclassical art, which focused on beauty and harmony. If you visit the Louvre Museum in Paris, you will see Cupid and Psyche in all its glory. It is a symbol of love that is going to remain timeless.
Try to answer correctly!
| Take the quiz |
The sculpture Cupid and Psyche is so detailed that the marble looks like ______.
| Next |
| Check |
Canova’s assistants joked that he might have fallen in love with ______ while sculpting.
| Next |
| Check |
Some people believe Cupid is leaning in to give Psyche a kiss that will ______.
| Next |
| Check |
The folds of Psyche’s robe are carved so perfectly that visitors often wonder if they ______.
| Next |
| Check |
Legend says Canova dreamed about Cupid and Psyche’s love story and woke up saying, “I will ______.”
| Next |
| Check |
Great work! Well done!
| Restart |
Vocabulary
Vocabulary for The Cupid's Kiss
To lean down - to bend lower or toward the ground
наклониться
mortal vs immortal - subject to death vs living forever; never dying
смертность vs бессмертие
jealous - feeling or showing an envious resentment of someone or their achievements, possessions, or perceived advantages.
ревнивый, завистливый
to face something - to accept that a difficult situation exists, although you would prefer not to
столкнуться с чем-то
curve - a line or outline which gradually deviates from being straight for some or all of its length.
изгиб, кривая
glory - magnificence or great beauty.
high renown or honour won by notable achievements.
high renown or honour won by notable achievements.
слава, великолепие
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At the Louvre:
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We use WILL
-when we talk about decisions made at the moment of speaking.
I am hungry. I will go eat a sandwich.
-to make predictions based on opinions or believes.
I think it will be cold tomorrow.
-to make promises or offers.
I will help you!
-when we talk about decisions made at the moment of speaking.
I am hungry. I will go eat a sandwich.
-to make predictions based on opinions or believes.
I think it will be cold tomorrow.
-to make promises or offers.
I will help you!
We use TO BE GOING TO (do something)
-to talk about plans decided before speaking.
I am going to visit my parents next weekend.
-to make predictions based on evidence or facts.
Look at the skies. It's not going to rain.
-to talk about plans decided before speaking.
I am going to visit my parents next weekend.
-to make predictions based on evidence or facts.
Look at the skies. It's not going to rain.
ATTENTION!
Use WILL for quick decisions, promises and general predictions.
Use GOING TO for plans and fact's based predictions.
Grammar: will vs going to
What do you remember? (Will vs Going to)
| Take the quiz |
Look at those dark clouds! It ______ (will/going to) rain soon.
| Next |
| Check |
I have just decided—I ______ (will/going to) order pizza for dinner.
| Next |
| Check |
She has already bought her ticket. She ______ (will/going to) travel to Spain next month.
| Next |
| Check |
Don’t worry, I ______ (will/going to) help you with your homework.
| Next |
| Check |
He thinks his team ______ (will/going to) win the match tonight.
| Next |
| Check |
Be careful! That glass ______ (will/going to) fall off the table.
| Next |
| Check |
We ______ (will/going to) visit our grandparents next weekend. It’s all planned!
| Next |
| Check |
I don’t think they ______ (will/going to) like this movie - it’s too scary.
| Next |
| Check |
I’m sure you ______ (will/going to) pass your exam—you’ve worked so hard!
| Next |
| Check |
Great work! Well done!
| Restart |
Tilda Publishing
10 masterpieces of Louvre: (Cupid's Kiss is at number 8, time 7-43)
Tilda Publishing
10 masterpieces of Louvre: (Cupid's Kiss is at number 8, time 7-43)
Vocabulary
Vocabulary for the video
ode - a classical poem of a kind originally meant to be sung.
ода
to carve - cut (a hard material) in order to produce an object, design, or inscription.
вырезать
to depict - represent by a drawing, painting, or other art form.
изобразить
tender - showing gentleness, kindness, and affection.
нежный
meticulous - showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
тщательный, скрупулезный, дотошный
craftsmanship - skill in a particular craft.the quality of design and work shown in something made by hand; artistry.
мастерство, тонкая работа
to showcase - exhibit; display.
демонстрировать
intricate - very complicated or detailed.
сложный, замысловатый
Fun Quiz about the masterpieces in Louvre:
| Take the quiz |
The Mona Lisa is protected by ______ to keep it safe.
| Next |
| Check |
The Winged Victory of Samothrace was discovered in ______.
| Next |
| Check |
The Venus de Milo has no arms because they ______.
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| Check |
Liberty Leading the People by Delacroix shows a woman holding ______.
| Next |
| Check |
The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David is so big that it ______.
| Next |
| Check |
The Code of Hammurabi is carved into ______.
| Next |
| Check |
The Wedding at Cana is opposite the Mona Lisa and depicts a ______.
| Next |
| Check |
Great work! Well done!
| Restart |
Tilda Publishing
Questions to discuss with your teacher:
- Have you visited Paris? Did you like it? What was your favorite part? If not, what would you like to see?
- What would you choose? To be a painter or to be a sculptor? Why?
- What artistic profession is popular right now? Why do you think it's popular?
- What hobby would you like to choose as your profession?