Venus Ordering Psyche to Sort a Heap of Grain

Venus Ordering Psyche to Sort a Heap of Grain is a highly influential print created in Italy between 1530 and 1540 by the Master of the Die. The composition follows a design by the Flemish painter Michiel Coxcie I, which in turn was inspired by the monumental mythological cycles of Raffaello Sanzio, known as Raphael. This chain of attribution exemplifies the dissemination of High Renaissance compositions across Europe during the 16th century, allowing the designs of Italian masters to be accessed through the medium of prints.

The engraving, executed meticulously in warm brown ink on cream laid paper, captures a dramatic scene from the story of Cupid and Psyche. Driven by jealousy, the goddess Venus imposes one of her crueler demands upon the hapless mortal, commanding her to sort a massive pile of mixed grains before nightfall—an impossible labor traditionally aided by ants.

As a skilled reproductive printmaker, the Master of the Die specialized in translating complex, often large-scale fresco compositions into accessible engraved form. This piece demonstrates the Die’s ability to render the idealized, graceful figures characteristic of the Raphael school while employing the precise line work required of the engraving technique. The work serves as an important record of early Mannerist printmaking in Italy. Today, this striking example of 16th-century prints is held in the permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Its historical importance means that high-resolution copies are often made available through public domain initiatives, further spreading the influence of this Renaissance composition.