Jupiter tumbling from a horse-drawn carriage at right, Ganymede riding Jupiter's eagle upper center, below Venus and to her right, the three Graces

Art Historical Context

This engraving captures a lively scene from classical mythology, with Jupiter tumbling dramatically from his horse-drawn chariot on the right, while Ganymede soars above on the god’s eagle. Below, Venus stands gracefully with the Three Graces, accompanied by Cupid and other figures, all rendered in fine detail within a compact composition measuring just 7½ by 8 11/16 inches. Created between 1530 and 1560, the print is attributed to the Master of the Die, an anonymous engraver who frequently worked after designs by Raphael. Engravings like this played a vital role in the Renaissance by allowing mythological narratives and artistic innovations to reach wider audiences beyond the original paintings or frescoes. Raphael’s influence is evident in the balanced figures and dynamic movement, even though the work was executed by another hand. The medium’s precise lines and tonal shading bring the story to life, highlighting themes of divine power, beauty, and transformation that fascinated 16th-century viewers. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of drawings and prints, this work exemplifies how printmakers helped preserve and popularize the classical revival central to Renaissance culture.

About the Artist

Master of the Die|Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi) · 1525–1560

**Master of the Die** (fl. 1525–1560) was an anonymous Italian engraver and printmaker active primarily in Rome during the mid-16th century. Named for the distinctive small die he used to sign his prints—a tiny emblematic mark that became his moniker—this elusive artist remains unidentified despite scholarly proposals linking him to figures like Benedetto Verino, Giovanni Francesco Zabello, Tommas...