Psyche voert Cerberus c. 1530 - 1560

This print, by the Master of the Die, depicts Psyche Feeding Cerberus, and can be found in the Rijksmuseum. Prints like this one, dating from around 1530, had a profound effect on artistic culture in Europe because they made images and ideas widely accessible. In this scene, derived from classical mythology, Psyche offers a cake to Cerberus, the multi-headed dog who guards the entrance to the Underworld. The composition reflects the renewed interest in classical learning during the Renaissance. The printmaker has drawn on ancient sources to reconstruct classical mythology, creating new imagery for a wider audience. The artist, who remains anonymous, is known by the "die" or dice that appears in his prints. Identifying and understanding the culture around this artist requires historical detective work: examining workshop practices, print distribution networks, and the social functions of imagery in the sixteenth century. These resources help us understand not only the image itself, but also the world in which it was created and viewed.