Psyche was the beloved of Cupid, mischievous son of Venus, the Roman goddess of love. Rodin alludes to an intimate moment in their complicated tale, when Psyche stole a secret glimpse of her sleeping lover. Rodin's marbles were carved by professional artisans, but the sculptor supervised their execution and often added the finishing touches. Henry Adams (1838-1918), Boston-born historian and author of the autobiographical memoir The Education of Henry Adams, saw the sculpture in Paris in 1900 and bought it for his niece.