1587
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Wedding of Cupid and Psyche is a 1587 ink by Hendrik Goltzius, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving is packed with tiny figures—gods, people, and creatures—all tangled in a wild scene. At the center, a naked man and woman stand under a tree, while around them, cherubs, animals, and warriors swirl in chaos. The background is crowded with clouds shaped like faces and floating objects, like giant bubbles or melons. The artist used fine lines to create depth, making some figures look closer and others fade into the distance. This was a common trick in engravings to show space without color. Next, look up engraving to see how artists carved these intricate details.
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
See the richer artist page
