Psyche enters the underworld. Plate 26 from the story of Cupid and Psyche

This series consists of 32 numbered plates telling the classical fable of Cupid and Psyche. Three were engraved by Agostino Veneziano (plates 4, 7 and 13), the remainder by the Master of the Die (who only marked plates 6 and 9), including Te Papa's examples, plates 17 and here, 26. The famous print expert Bartsch thought that the plates were designed by Raphael, but the biographer of artists and Mannerist court artist in his own right, GiorgioVasari, correctly stated that they were after Michiel Coxcie, a leading Flemish painter and designer of engravings. The identity of the Master of the Die is uncertain. He was given this name because he signed his prints with a small die. Some theories to the identity of the artist include Benedetto Verino, Marcantonio Raimondi's son Daddi or Dado, or Tommaso Vincidor. What is known is the Master of the Die studied under Marcantonio Raimondi, who is also represented by several engravings in Te Papa's collection. 

This print depicts Psyche as she enters the underworld, giving an offering to Cerberus, with three elderly women at left. It is part of the collection in the so-called King George IV album of Old Master prints, acquired by the Dominion Museum, precursor of Te Papa, in 1910.

Dr Mark Stocker     Curator, Historical International Art       March 2017