The Too Credulous Psyche Looks at Cupid
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)
Italy
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.
Engraving in warm brown ink on cream laid paper