The Owsley Moment

Vivid descriptions of art on display in our part of the state

Sculpture of Psyche seated on a rock, nude and slumped in despair, with her head turned and one hand resting on her chest—representing heartbreak after Cupid’s departure.

S04 E09 – Jean Joseph Taillasson, Psyche Abandoned by Cupid, 1785

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French artist Jean Joseph Taillasson’s Psyche Abandoned by Cupid captures the sorrowful moment Psyche is left by her lover, blending Neoclassical precision with the emotional intensity that would later define Romanticism. The painting powerfully conveys regret, betrayal, and longing through Psyche’s expression, posture, and the stormy landscape behind her.

 

Research by Presley Cole
Voiced by Blake Chapman

Produced by Blake Chapman in cooperation with the David Owsley Museum of Art and the Ball State School of Art.

Music used in this episode:
Piano Trio in A Minor
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Janine Jansen, Torleif Thedéen, and Denis Kozhukhin

Original air date:  July 4, 2025

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About The Owsley Moment

Created by Ball State School of Art professor Dr. Lara Kuykendall, The Owsley Moment is a brief, informative program that describes one work in the David Owsley Museum of Art's collection every week. Each Moment takes the listener on a small adventure, often telling the history of the piece, recounting the life of the artist, or vividly detailing the characteristics of the work.

The Owsley Moments are written by Ball State art history students. They are produced in collaboration with the David Owsley Museum of Art and Indiana Public Radio and are voiced by Ball State students.

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