Fotoreproductie van fresco Mercurius leidt Psyche naar de Olympos door Rafaël in het Farnesina te Rome c. 1870 - 1890

Domenico Anderson created this photogravure of Raphael's fresco, 'Mercury Leading Psyche to Olympus', sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The muted sepia tones lend a sense of classical antiquity to the scene, as does the composition, where the figures, though rendered with detailed musculature and flowing drapery, seem to emerge softly from the background. Notice how the linear composition guides your eye upwards, following the diagonal formed by Mercury's raised arm and Psyche's gaze. This dynamic line, counterbalanced by the solid, grounding presence of the figures, suggests a movement towards transcendence. The artist subtly plays with the contrast between the idealised forms of the mythological figures and the textured details of the surrounding foliage. The visual language here invites us to consider the tension between the earthly and the divine. Anderson's photogravure, through its carefully modulated tones and compositional choices, echoes the Renaissance fascination with classical ideals and mythological narratives. In this way the artwork encourages us to consider how enduring themes of love, transformation, and the human condition are visually communicated across centuries.