Psyche doet verslag aan haar zusters c. 1530 - 1560

This print of "Psyche doet verslag aan haar zusters" was made by the Master of the Die, probably in Italy, sometime in the mid-16th century. It depicts a scene from the classical myth of Cupid and Psyche. Psyche has been banished by Cupid and returns to her sisters to tell them of her misfortune. The story of Cupid and Psyche was popular during the Renaissance, and was seen to be a classical allegory of the soul being purified by love. Italian artists often referred to classical stories that were acceptable to both the church and wealthy patrons. The story of Psyche, like many classical tales, was frequently used to decorate palaces and homes of the wealthy. If we want to know more about the artist, we could look at the archives of printmakers active in Italy at this time. The museums and libraries of Europe and North America contain vast quantities of information about artists and patrons, if we only take the time to look.