NATOIRE, Charles-Joseph
(b. 1700, Nimes, d. 1777, Castel Gandolfo)

The Story of Psyche

1737-39
Fresco
Hôtel de Soubise, Paris

In 1732, the prince de Rohan commissioned Gabriel Germain Boffrand (1667-1754) to design a new room in the Hôtel de Soubise. This room became known as the Salon Ovale de la Princesse. Its elegance stems from the alternation of rounded panels with mirrors, topped by eight canvases by Natoire, depicting the Story of Psyche, set in curvilinear frames.