Psyche pruned to Heaven by Love 

This is an etching titled 'Psyche pruned to Heaven by Love' by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, made in Italy sometime in the 18th century. Piranesi would have understood himself to be working within established traditions, reviving classical forms in a rapidly modernizing world. Here, we see the mythological figure Psyche borne aloft by cherubic figures towards the heavens. She carries an oil lamp, representing her search for love and knowledge. Piranesi was well-known for his etchings of Roman ruins and antiquities, catering to the Grand Tour tastes of wealthy Europeans. This image reflects a fascination with classical mythology and its allegorical potential. But it also reflects the social function of art at this time. Images like these served as markers of elite status and cultural capital, circulated through print networks and displayed in private collections. To understand this etching fully, we might consult period texts on mythology, art criticism, and social history. By considering the artwork within its original context, we gain insight into its intended meaning and the social structures it both reflected and reinforced.