Cupid and Psyche

For a sculpture exhibition at the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery a group of people from the Bristol Community chose their favourite sculpture from the stores.

Results of poultice cleaning on the detached foot.
Results of poultice cleaning on the detached foot.

The marble sculpture of Cupid and Psyche was among those chosen. The piece was not displayable in its current condition, being covered in grime and dust its foot having been broken and missing part of a thumb and two fingers. The aim of the sculptures conservation was to make the piece suitable for exhibition and involved poultice cleaning the sculpture.


Rejoining of the detatched foot. The join was left unfilled to show that conservation had occurred.


Creating the missing fingers, retouching them to match the sculpture yet still be discernable from the original. Cleaning had made the break on the wrist less noticeable.
Creating the missing fingers, retouching them to match the sculpture yet still be discernable from the original. Cleaning had made the break on the wrist less noticeable.
The completed cleaned sculpture ready for display in the gallery.
The completed cleaned sculpture ready for display in the gallery.