Artwork

Psyche at Her Toilet (after Michiel Coxie the Elder) (from Hill Hall, Essex)

Psyche at Her Toilet (after Michiel Coxie the Elder) (from Hill Hall, Essex) is an unspecified painting by the Mannerist artist Lucas de Heere. It dates from 1575 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Lucas de Heere’s 1575 oil painting, titled Psyche at Her Toilet (after Michiel Coxie the Elder), presents a late‑sixteenth‑century interpretation of the classical myth. Executed in a Mannerist idiom, the work is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection and reflects the artist’s practice of reworking earlier compositions.

Subject & Meaning

The composition shows the goddess‑like figure of Psyche seated before a modest dressing table, her nude form modestly veiled by a draped curtain. A servant, positioned to her right, tends to Psyche’s hair with a cloth, suggesting a private, contemplative moment that emphasizes personal care and the intimate aspects of the mythic narrative.

Technique & Style

De Heere employs the elongated proportions and graceful poses typical of Mannerism, giving the figures an elegant, almost theatrical quality. The palette is dominated by warm ochres and browns, creating a serene atmosphere, while the handling of light accentuates the smooth flesh tones and the sheen of the surrounding fabrics.

History & Provenance

Originally based on a design by Michiel Coxie the Elder, the painting was produced by de Heere as a homage to the earlier Flemish master. It entered the collection of Hill Hall in Essex before being acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s European paintings holdings.

Context

Created during a period when Flemish artists frequently revisited classical subjects, the work reflects the broader Renaissance interest in antiquity and the humanist desire to explore mythological themes through contemporary visual language. De Heere’s dual reputation as painter and costume historian informs the detailed rendering of the servant’s attire and the overall decorative setting.

The Mother at Her Toilette, Pablo Picasso

Artist & collection

Artist

Lucas de Heere

Lucas de Heere or Lucas d'Heere (Ghent, 1534 – possibly Paris, 29 August 1584) was a Flemish painter, watercolorist, print artist, biographer, playwright, poet and writer.