Cupid Begging Jupiter for Mercy for Psyche

Cupid Begging Jupiter for Mercy for Psyche is a remarkable engraving executed in Italy between 1530 and 1540 by the Master of the Die. This specific print follows a design by the Flemish artist Michiel Coxcie I, which itself was inspired by the monumental decorative cycles of the High Renaissance master Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael. The piece depicts the dramatic moment when Cupid appeals to Jupiter, the king of the gods, on behalf of his mortal beloved, Psyche, a central narrative taken from the classical mythological sources documented by Apuleius.

The Die rendered this complex mythological scene using the delicate medium of engraving. The design was incised onto a metal plate, resulting in a fine impression printed here in warm brown ink on cream laid paper. As an important example of 16th-century Italian prints, this work demonstrates the widespread influence of Roman Renaissance compositions throughout Europe, disseminated effectively through the reproducible nature of the printmaking medium. The masterly technique of the Die allowed for complex shading and anatomical rendering, successfully translating the grandeur of Raphael’s style into a smaller, portable format.

The lineage of inspiration, moving from Raphael to Coxcie, and finally to the Master of the Die, highlights the crucial role of printmakers in circulating visual ideas across cultures and periods. This important work is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago and, due to its age, often falls under the category of art made accessible through public domain initiatives.