Plate 4: Psyche's father consulting the Oracle, accompanied by another king, from "The Story of Cupid and Psyche as told by Apuleius" 1530 - 1560

Agostino Veneziano created this engraving, Plate 4: Psyche's father consulting the Oracle, accompanied by another king, sometime between 1490 and 1536. It depicts a scene from "The Story of Cupid and Psyche" by Apuleius, reflecting the Renaissance fascination with classical mythology and literature. Here, we witness a patriarchal society's response to the disruption of the social order, a king seeking counsel about his daughter. The scene is laden with the visual cues of power. Yet, it is equally a moment of paternal vulnerability, as the king seeks to control his daughter's destiny through divine consultation. Consider how the act of sacrifice, the animals brought forth, underscores the perceived value of Psyche as a commodity, and the limited agency afforded to women of this era. This image invites us to reflect on the intersections of power, gender, and fate, and how these themes continue to resonate in our contemporary moment.