Mercury carrying Psyche to Olympus, after Raphael's composition in the Villa Farnesina, Rome 1520s - 1530s

Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio created this engraving, "Mercury carrying Psyche to Olympus", inspired by Raphael's fresco, sometime in the 16th century. This print invites us to consider the relationship between mythology, gender, and power during the Renaissance. The tale of Psyche, a mortal woman who becomes the wife of Cupid and is eventually granted immortality, speaks to the era's fascination with classical antiquity. Yet, it also reflects prevailing social hierarchies. Here, we see a woman being carried, almost taken, into Olympus. This is a moment of transformation, yet it is staged as a moment where Psyche is acted upon, rather than acting. Caraglio’s composition prompts us to consider the constraints placed on women and the complex negotiations of power and agency in Renaissance society. The artwork, thus, becomes a mirror reflecting both the aspirations and the limitations of its time, capturing a nuanced narrative of transformation, power, and identity.