Psyche Before Proserpina in the Underworld c. 16th century

Curator: This is Pietro Aquila's engraving, "Psyche Before Proserpina in the Underworld". Aquila, who lived from 1650 to 1700, has captured a scene of mythological drama. Editor: It feels like a fever dream, doesn't it? All those swirling figures and that three-headed dog! It's intense. Curator: Aquila was known for disseminating the work of others. Here, he translates a fresco by Raphael, making it accessible to a wider audience. The image itself tells a story of love and trial. Editor: I'm drawn to Psyche’s expression; there's a blend of vulnerability and courage in her gaze as she faces Proserpina. It feels timeless, like we're all asking for something just out of reach. Curator: Absolutely. And the very act of creating and circulating this image reinforces the narrative; it’s a cultural artifact shaping interpretations of this classic myth. Editor: It's funny, knowing it's a copy makes me like it more. It's like a whisper of a whisper of an ancient story, changing with each telling. I wonder what Aquila felt as he made this, what he was trying to say.