One of the largest engravings ever produced, this print is based on a pen and ink drawing by the Mannerist artist Bartholomaeus Spranger (1546-1611), Court Painter to Emperor Rudolph II. Composed of three separate plates, the monumental print is an unrestrained display of virtuosity. The tablet held by the putto in the foreground bears a dedication to Wolfgang Rumpf, Rudolph II's chancellor, helping to explain the extraordinary effort made by these artists to impress their illustrious patron. In keeping with sixteenth-century opinion that accords value to works of art by the number of figures they include, the engraving features more than seventy figures. The print depicts the culmination of the romantic myth of love between Cupid and Psyche. Here, at the banquet of the gods, Psyche is triumphantly united with Cupid after passing a series of difficult tests. Various gods, heroes, putti and the Muses partake in the amazing feast, while the wedding couple is curiously relegated to the end of the banquet table.
cxd
<P>One of the largest engravings ever produced, this print is based on a pen and ink drawing by the Mannerist artist Bartholomaeus Spranger (1546-1611), Court Painter to Emperor Rudolph II. Composed of three separate plates, the monumental print is an unrestrained display of virtuosity. The tablet held by the putto in the foreground bears a dedication to Wolfgang Rumpf, Rudolph II's chancellor, helping to explain the extraordinary effort made by these artists to impress their illustrious patron. In keeping with sixteenth-century opinion that accords value to works of art by the number of figures they include, the engraving features more than seventy figures. The print depicts the culmination of the romantic myth of love between Cupid and Psyche. Here, at the banquet of the gods, Psyche is triumphantly united with Cupid after passing a series of difficult tests. Various gods, heroes, putti and the Muses partake in the amazing feast, while the wedding couple is curiously relegated to the end of the banquet table. </P>
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