Master of the Die, “Psyche Enters the Underworld”, 1530–60, after by Michiel Coxie I

Master of the Die (fl.1522–33)

Note the “Benezit Dictionary of Artists” (2005) proposes that the Master of the Die may be Bernardo Daddi (fl.c.1530–60) and the British Museum proposes that the artist may be Tommaso Vincidor (1493–1536); see https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG37609.

“Psyche Enters the Underworld” (TIB title), 1530–60, plate 26 from the series of thirty-two plates (second version with verses and plate number), “Fable of Psyche” (TIB title) (aka "The Story of Cupid and Psyche as told by Apuleius" [MET title]), after the design by Michiel Coxie I (aka Michiel van Coxcyen) (1490–1592), published in Rome by Antonio Salamanca (1478–1562).

Engraving on fine laid paper. This is a rare early impression still retaining the lettering guide lines.

Size: (sheet) 24.2 x 29.7cm; (plate) 19.8 x 23.3cm; (image borderline) 16.3 x 22.6cm

Inscribed in plate within the image borderline: (lower right) “Ant. Sal exc.”

Numbered twice in plate at lower left: “26”.

Lettered in plate below the image borderline in four lines of Italian in two columns: “Poi c'ha passata la palude morta,/ et le maluage Linaiuole ancora/ Viene à l'horribil can, che 'n su la porta,/ Con tré teste à la guardia fa dimora,// Di polenta dui pan la Donna porta,/ Danne uno al mostro, che lo ingoglia e uora/ L altro serbando a se per la iornata,/ Come era dala torre ammaestrata” ([Google Transl.] Then he has passed the dead swamp,/ and the evil Linaiuole again/ He comes to the horrible dog, who at the door,/ With three heads to guard it,// The Lady brings two loaves of polenta,/ Giving one to the monster, who swallows it and eats it/ Keeping the other for himself for the day,/ As he was trained from the tower).

State iii showing Antonio Salamanca as the publisher (see the explanation of the various states offered by the Curator of the BM: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_M-44-2 [BM inv. no. M,44.2]).

TIB 29.64-II (Suzanne Boorsch [ed.] 1982, “The Illustrated Bartsch: Italian Masters of the Sixteenth Century”, vol. 29, Abaris Books, New York, p.220, cat no. [29] 64-II); Bartsch XV.222.64 (Adam Bartsch 1803, “Le Peintre graveur”, vol. 15, Vienna)

The British Museum offers the following description of this print: “Plate 26: Psyche enters the underworld giving an offering to Cerberus, at left sit three old women/ Engraving” (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_M-44-54 [BM inv. no. M,44.54]).

Condition: a richly inked and well-printed early impression (still showing the guidelines for lettering) with wide margins. The sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains or significant signs of handling.

I am selling this early impression of a very beautiful engraving by the 16th century printmaker whose work is often inscribed with a symbol of a dice—hence the artist’s descriptive title, “Master of the Die”—for AU$388 (currently US$251.34/ EUR239.63/ GBP199.88 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU$388) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this superb print from the Renaissance era exemplifying the interest at the time for classical mythology, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold