Venus Ordering Psyche to Seek Water From a Fountain Guarded by Dragons

The Renaissance print, Venus Ordering Psyche to Seek Water From a Fountain Guarded by Dragons, created between 1530 and 1540, exemplifies the complex artistic borrowing typical of the period. This piece was executed by the Master of the Die, an Italian printmaker active in the mid-sixteenth century. The Die based his composition on a design by the Flemish painter Michiel Coxcie I, who in turn drew inspiration from the monumental works of Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael. This intricate lineage demonstrates the rapid dissemination of High Renaissance motifs across Europe through the increasingly popular medium of prints.

The work is an engraving, characterized by the meticulous rendering of mythological subject matter—specifically, one of the impossible labors set upon Psyche by the jealous goddess Venus. Psyche is commanded to gather water from the perilous River Styx, which issues forth from a mountainous fountain closely guarded by menacing dragons. The Die achieved texture and depth using fine lines of warm brown ink applied to ivory laid paper.

The detailed execution of the print highlights the technical mastery of the Die during the height of Italian Mannerism. Its physical characteristics, including the fact that the original sheet is attached to a secondary piece of ivory laid paper along the right margin, provide insight into the preservation methods of the era. This significant example of sixteenth-century printmaking currently resides in the esteemed collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. As crucial historical prints such as this enter the public domain, they allow for continued study and widespread availability.