The Fable Of Cupid And Psyche, Translated from the Latin of Apuleius: To Which Are Added, A Poetical Paraphrase On The Speech Of Diotima, In The Banquet Of Plato; Four Hymns, &c. &c. With An Introduction, In Which The Meaning Of The Fable Is Unfolded. - [Epigraph from Synesius] -
London:: Printed For The Author, And sold by Leigh and Sotheby, York Street, Covent Garden. -, 1795.
Physical Description
[6], xvii, [1], 152 p.; 208 mm. (Octavo.)
Contents
[Half-t., t.p., dedic.] - Introduction - Errata - [Text] - [Divisional t.p., 'A Poetical Parphrase On The Speech Of Diotima, In Ther Banquet Of Plato.'] - [Text] - [Divisional t.p., 'Hymns, &c. &c.'] - [Text] - Appendix.
Responsibility Note
The author of the translation is not named on the title page; but the work is dedicated by Thomas Taylor to the President, Council, and Members of the Royal Academy - as a translation and explanation of the fable 'which has been a favorite subject of the most eminent artists, ancient and modern'.
References
ESTC, T125321
Works and studies of Taylor were included in Thomas Taylor the Platonist: selected writings, ed. K. Raine and G.M. Harper (1969).
On treatments of the Cupid and Psyche myth see, P.J. Accardo, The metamorphosis of Apuleius: Cupid and Psyche, Beauty and the Beast, King Cong (2002).
S. Cavicchioli, The tale of Cupid and Psyche: an illustrated history (2002).
M. Acocella, L'asino d'oro nel Rinascimento: dai volgarizzamenti alle raffigurazioni pittoriche (2001).
C.C. Schlam, Cupid and Psyche: Apuleius and the monuments (1976).
Summary Note
Thomas Taylor's studies and translations of the Neoplatonists and of Plato were familiar to Coleridge, Blake and Flaxman. In 1812 his portrait by Thomas Lawrence was exhibited at the Royal Academy.
Reproductions
An electronic reproduction was published in 2003 (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale). Microfilm versions were published in 1986 (Woodbridge CT: Research Publications) and 1983 (Woodbridge CT: Research Publications).
Provenance
The half-title is inscribed in ink, 'From the Author'. Probably presented in the year of publication, and certainly by 1802.
Binding Note
19th-century green cloth; spine lettered 'Cupid & Psyche - Taylor' and 'R.A.'
Cupid and Psyche (Tale) - Mythology, Greek
Translations from Latin - Translations from Greek - Translations into English - English poetry - Great Britain - 18th century