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Master of the Die

The People Rendering Divine Honors to Psyche

1530/40
Engraving in warm brown ink on cream laid paper
20 × 23.5 cm (7.9 × 9.3 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This series by the Renaissance engraver known as the Master of the Die tells the story of the romance between Cupid, the ancient god of love, and his mortal beloved, Psyche. Cupid’s mother, Venus, resented Psyche’s rare beauty because she distracted the goddess’s followers. When Venus dispatches Cupid to exact her revenge, he falls in love with Psyche himself. Secretly meeting Psyche only at night, he attempts to keep his identity secret but is ultimately discovered. Psyche then embarks on a series of quests engineered by the still-vindictive Venus to atone for her curiosity.

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