Psyche als godin aanbeden door het volk 1520 - 1602

Antonio da Trento created this chiaroscuro woodcut, "Psyche als godin aanbeden door het volk," in Italy sometime between 1520 and 1550. In the image, we see the mortal Psyche being celebrated as a goddess, challenging the traditional hierarchies of the Olympian gods. The Italian Renaissance was a time of renewed interest in classical antiquity, and the story of Psyche and Cupid was a popular subject for artists. This print reflects the era's fascination with classical mythology and its exploration of humanism. But Trento's print is distinct in that the architectural backdrop, reminiscent of ancient Roman temples, emphasizes the institutional context of religious worship. The act of ordinary people worshipping Psyche as a goddess subtly questions the established religious order. To fully understand this artwork, consider researching the social and religious tensions of 16th-century Italy and how artists used mythological narratives to comment on contemporary issues.