Voorbereidingen voor het huwelijksfeest van Amor en Psyche (linkerdeel) 1575 - 1613

This is the left section of "Preparations for the Wedding Feast of Cupid and Psyche," an engraving by Diana Mantuana, made sometime in the late 16th century. Mantuana was a woman working in a male-dominated field, and the engraving reflects an intersection of classical mythology with the social dynamics of her time. The scene shows lavish preparations, with classical figures and exotic animals, indicative of wealth and power. The wedding feast, however, is more than just a celebration of love; it serves as a social and political stage. As the figures prepare, the engraving suggests questions about their roles and the power dynamics inherent in marriage and social rituals. Mantuana negotiates traditional narratives with subtle commentary on the complexities of gender, status, and spectacle. Notice how the personal and emotional aspects of marriage intersect with public display. This piece invites us to consider the societal pressures and performative aspects embedded in such unions, reflecting both the grandeur and the underlying tensions of the time.