Bruiloft van Amor en Psyche c. 1530 - 1560

This engraving by the Master of the Die depicts the wedding of Amor and Psyche, a celebration laden with potent symbols. Winged figures above shower the scene with wreaths, evoking ancient rituals of honor and festivity. Consider the act of crowning: it appears in countless iterations across time, from Roman triumphs to Renaissance coronations. The gesture signifies not only victory, but also the cyclical nature of power and reverence. Observe how the figures recline, echoing classical banquets and the symposiums of ancient Greece, mirroring scenes of celebration found on sarcophagi. The cupids, ubiquitous in scenes of love, are not mere decoration; they are carriers of a deep, subconscious longing for connection and joy. It is a complex visual language, where symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, forever echoing through the corridors of time.