Mercury Carrying Psyche to Olympus, after Raphael, Villa Farnesina c. 19th century

Editor: This drawing, "Mercury Carrying Psyche to Olympus, after Raphael," is attributed to August Temmel. It's quite striking in its simplicity, just the two figures rendered in sanguine chalk. What stands out to you about the materials and the process of creating this copy? Curator: It's interesting to consider Temmel's labor here. He's not creating a 'new' image, but reproducing Raphael's design. The value shifts from artistic innovation to the skill of replication, the physical act of translating Raphael's fresco. How does this impact our understanding of artistic value and consumption? Editor: That's a great point! It makes you think about the role of the artist as a craftsman, rather than just an originator. Thanks! Curator: Exactly. It's about labor, skill, and how these elements contribute to the artwork’s meaning within a broader economic and social context.