The story of Psyche was popular with late Pre-Raphaelite artists. Psyche was so beautiful that she aroused the jealousy of the goddess Aphrodite. Cupid was sent to punish her but instead fell in love and hid her away in his palace, only ever visiting her at night to preserve his identity.

Psyche is pictured stealing into Cupid's garden hoping to catch a forbidden glance of her lover.