Psyche Leaves for the Underworld

Psyche Leaves for the Underworld is a significant 16th-century print created in Italy between 1530 and 1540. The complex attribution points to the Master of the Die (Italian, active c. 1530-1560), who executed the engraving after a composition by Michiel Coxcie I, which in turn derived from the renowned designs of Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael. This intricate lineage speaks directly to the sophisticated reproductive print culture of the Renaissance. The image depicts a pivotal moment in the classical myth of Cupid and Psyche, showing the heroine undertaking the dangerous tasks demanded by Venus, specifically her perilous journey to the underworld. The medium is an expertly detailed engraving rendered in warm brown ink on cream laid paper, showcasing the technical skill required to translate complex, monumental painterly designs into the linear language of prints.

The work demonstrates how designs originating with major figures like Raphael were disseminated widely across Europe. The Master of the Die, active in Italy during a period of intense classical revival, meticulously carved the plate to capture the dramatic emotional intensity of the narrative scene. While the compositional inspiration traveled through Flemish hands via Coxcie, the execution of the piece places it firmly within the flourishing tradition of Italian prints. This medium allowed intricate visual stories, often rooted in classical literature and mythology, to reach a much wider audience than monumental paintings could achieve.

The enduring quality of the engravings produced by Die and his contemporaries ensures their continued historical importance. Today, this work resides in the extensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As many great masterworks of this period enter the public domain, prints like Psyche Leaves for the Underworld remain crucial documents for understanding the rapid circulation of artistic ideas and classical subject matter during the High Renaissance and early Mannerist periods.