Psyche presenting Venus with water from the Styx 1517

This red chalk drawing, created in 1517 by the High Renaissance master Raphael, depicts the mythological figure Psyche presenting a vase of water from the River Styx to Venus. The drawing is a study for a larger painting, possibly intended for the Farnesina Palace in Rome. The drawing's dynamic composition and the carefully rendered figures are characteristic of Raphael’s mature style, marked by a balance of classical ideals and realistic observation. The work, now housed in the Louvre, is a testament to Raphael's mastery of line and form, and offers valuable insight into his creative process.