Psyche gestraft door Smart en Pijn c. 1530 - 1560

This is an engraving called "Psyche gestraft door Smart en Pijn," or "Psyche Punished by Grief and Pain," made by the Master of the Dice. The scene depicts the classical myth of Psyche, whose beauty aroused the jealousy of Venus, who then orders Psyche to be punished. The story of Psyche, which translates to soul in ancient greek, unfolds as a complex allegory of love, jealousy, and the trials of the human soul. Psyche's punishment is a direct consequence of challenging the established hierarchy of beauty and power represented by Venus, who embodies the patriarchal expectations of female beauty and subservience. The emotional depth conveyed through the figures' postures and expressions invites us to reflect on the artwork's themes of envy, retribution, and the quest for redemption. The artwork compels us to consider the personal and societal costs exacted when norms are challenged and power structures are destabilized.