Mercury bearing Psyche to Olympus
1550
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1550
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This print shows two figures standing on a pile of fluffy clouds. The taller one is a muscular man holding a staff with wings at the top. He’s shirtless, wearing a hat with wings, and looks strong. The shorter figure is a woman with curly hair, dressed in a loose robe, holding a bag and looking up at him. The artist used deep shadows and smooth shading to make the figures pop off the page. The clouds under their feet feel soft and light. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how this print uses light and dark.
