Apuleius Changed into a Donkey

"Apuleius Changed into a Donkey," created between 1530 and 1540, is an engraving executed by the Master of the Die (Italian, active c. 1530-1560). The complex attribution notes that Die worked after a design by Michiel Coxcie I, who himself was inspired by the compositional ideas of Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael. This print, executed in warm brown ink on cream laid paper, exemplifies the sophisticated reproductive print culture thriving in Italy during the mid-sixteenth century.

The scene depicts the classical literary moment of Apuleius's dramatic transformation into a donkey, a central episode in Apuleius's satirical novel, The Golden Ass. The Master of the Die translates the dynamic figurative style originating with Raphael into the precise, linear language necessary for engraving. This work showcases Die’s technical mastery in adapting a complex, multi-figure scene into a monochromatic image, retaining the drama and classical proportions of the original design.

Reproductive prints were essential for disseminating the monumental inventions of High Renaissance masters across Europe, acting as a crucial bridge between monumental art and private collectors. The ability of artists such as Die to reinterpret compositions intended for frescoes or panels ensured their wide circulation throughout Italy and beyond. This impressive example of sixteenth-century Italian graphic art is part of the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, where it is classified simply as a print. As an important piece of historical scholarship, prints like these are frequently digitized, making high-quality images available through public domain initiatives.