Orpheus 1523 - 1533

Agostino Veneziano made this engraving, Orpheus, in the first half of the 16th century. The image shows the musician Orpheus charming Cerberus, guardian of the underworld, with his lyre. Prints such as this one circulated widely throughout Europe at the time, and played a vital role in the creation of a shared visual culture. In Italy, the rediscovery of classical antiquity inspired new humanist philosophies as well as artistic styles. The Orpheus myth, with its themes of music, harmony, and the power of art, resonated with this cultural movement. What's particularly interesting is that Veneziano was trained by Marcantonio Raimondi, who was known for reproducing Raphael's paintings as prints. So, this image reflects not just the rediscovery of the classical world but also the contemporary art world and its institutions. As art historians, we can investigate the classical sources of Orpheus imagery, the networks through which prints circulated, and the economic and social conditions that allowed artists like Veneziano to thrive. This helps us understand the complex relationship between art, culture, and society.