Amor en Psyche 1814 - 1815

This print of ‘Amor en Psyche’ was made by Domenico Marchetti in the early 19th century, after the famous marble sculpture by Antonio Canova. The print captures Canova’s original sculpture, and its illusion of smooth, white marble. This aesthetic of idealized form, achieved through careful carving and polishing, was highly prized in the Neoclassical period. But the printmaking process has its own story to tell. Consider the skill required to translate three dimensions into two, and the labor involved in creating the matrix that would allow for the image’s reproduction. The print medium democratized artworks, making them more accessible to a wider audience. Yet it also created a distance from the hand of the artist, raising questions about authenticity and value. This prompts us to reflect on the distinctions between original and copy, and the economic forces that shape our appreciation of art. Ultimately, this print invites us to consider how materials and making processes affect our understanding of cultural value, and how social context shapes our understanding of art.