Cupid and Psyche 1595 - 1605

This engraving of Cupid and Psyche was made by Jan Muller in the Netherlands sometime around the turn of the 17th century. Muller takes as his subject matter the ancient Roman mythological story of love and betrayal, but we might also view the image as a window onto the complex social rituals around marriage in the artist's own time. The image's meaning is created through its knowing deployment of classical imagery and its subtle critique of contemporary gender roles. Consider the Dutch Republic's recent separation from the Spanish Empire. Is there something deeply political in the very act of reviving the artistic styles of antiquity in the newly independent Netherlands? Does this represent a claim to social legitimacy? In order to more fully understand this artwork, the historian might consult a wide range of documentary evidence, from emblem books to marriage records. By understanding the social and institutional context of art, we can gain insight into its meaning and significance.