Huwelijksfeest van Amor en Psyche 1575

Diana Mantuana created this engraving, "The Wedding Feast of Cupid and Psyche", in Italy during the late 16th century. The story of Cupid and Psyche was popular in Renaissance art, embodying themes of love, beauty, and the soul's journey. The engraving visualizes a lavish wedding celebration. By exploring how the artist uses classical mythology, we can learn about cultural values of the time. The image reflects the interests of elite circles, who were then rediscovering classical literature and philosophy. Mantuana was unusual as a woman succeeding in the male-dominated art world. Her engravings circulated among collectors and scholars, contributing to the spread of knowledge about classical antiquity. Art historians rely on archival documents, letters, and inventories to reconstruct the social networks in which Mantuana operated, shedding light on the institutional structures that shaped her career and her art.