Psyche geeft Venus het kruikje 1520 - 1567

Lambertus Suavius created this print, ‘Psyche gives Venus the Jar’, sometime in the mid-16th century. Here, Suavius represents figures from classical mythology with a hyper-muscular style that recalls contemporary trends in the art of the Italian Renaissance. The visual language and cultural references of this artwork create meaning that’s deeply rooted in its historical context. Made in the Netherlands, this work reflects the interest in classical antiquity and the flourishing of printmaking that characterized the Northern Renaissance. Note how the bodies of Venus and Psyche display an idealized but exaggerated anatomy. This visual choice reflects not only artistic trends, but also broader cultural values related to beauty, strength, and the classical past. To understand a work like this better, we can consult primary sources such as letters, treatises, and other documents that shed light on the artistic, social, and intellectual climate of the time. Through this kind of research, we can gain insight into the complex ways that art reflects and shapes its world.