The Too Credulous Psyche Looks at Cupid

Prints and Drawings

1530/40

Agostino dei Musi (Italian, c. 1490-after 1536)
after Michiel Coxcie I (Flemish, 1499-1592)
in turn, inspired by Raffaello Sanzio, called Raphael (Italian, 1483-1520)
printed by Antonio Salamanca (Italian, 1478-1562)

Meeting Cupid only at night in their darkened bedchamber, Psyche eventually grows curious about her mysterious lover. Urged by her jealous sisters, she plots to discover his true form. She fears that her lover might be a monster, so she brings an oil lamp and a dagger to bed with her, only to be surprised at the youthful Cupid’s great beauty. She spills hot oil, splashing and waking him. Cupid flees, leaving the anguished Psyche alone. Only after she has succeeded in a series of seemingly impossible trials will they be reunited.

Status: Currently Off View
Department: Prints and Drawings

Artist: Agostino dei Musi
Title: The Too Credulous Psyche Looks at Cupid
Place: Italy (Object made in)
Date: 1530–1540
Medium: Engraving in warm brown ink on cream laid paper
Dimensions: 200 × 235 mm (plate); 270 × 370 mm (sheet)
Credit Line: Stanley Field, Everett D. Graff, and John H. Wrenn Memorial Endowments
Reference Number: 2001.493.13
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Bartsch XIV.103,238

Passavant 51

Ruland 13

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