Who painted Old Woman Telling the Tale of Psyche?

Old Woman Telling the Tale of Psyche was painted by Martin Didier Pape in 1590.

Where can I see Old Woman Telling the Tale of Psyche?

Old Woman Telling the Tale of Psyche is held by Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.

What movement is Old Woman Telling the Tale of Psyche?

Old Woman Telling the Tale of Psyche is associated with Mannerism.

Artwork

Old Woman Telling the Tale of Psyche

Martin Didier Pape , 1590

Old Woman Telling the Tale of Psyche is a copper painting by the Mannerist artist Martin Didier Pape. It dates from 1590 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.

About this work

Overview

The composition is signed with a French inscription indicating it follows a design attributed to Raphael and references the artist Martin Didier Pape.

Created around 1580 in the Limousin region, this copper plaque is executed in grisaille enamel, a technique associated with Limoges workshops. The work portrays an elderly woman narrating the myth of Cupid and Psyche to a younger companion, set within a dimly lit interior that includes a small dog and a distant unicorn. The composition is signed with a French inscription indicating it follows a design attributed to Raphael and references the artist Martin Didier Pape.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures a moment of oral storytelling: the aged figure, wand in hand, gestures as she recounts the love story of Cupid and Psyche, while the younger woman rests her head on her hand, listening attentively. The inclusion of mythological elements such as the unicorn in the background reinforces the narrative’s classical roots and suggests an allegorical link between innocence, love, and the transmission of cultural tales.

Technique & Style

Executed in grisaille enamel on copper, the piece employs a limited palette of dark blues, grays, and subtle highlights, creating a restrained tonal range. Chiaroscuro modeling gives the figures a three‑dimensional presence, while the enamel surface yields a smooth, luminous finish. The composition derives from an engraving by the so‑called Master of the Die, translating line work into the delicate enamel medium.

History & Provenance

The plaque entered the collections of the Musée des Beaux‑Arts de Lyon in 1851, where it remains on display. Many other works by Martin Didier Pape are held by the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, indicating the artist’s broader output and the dispersal of his enamel pieces across European and American institutions.

Context

Limoges enamel production flourished in the late sixteenth century, catering to both devotional and secular tastes. This work reflects the period’s interest in classical mythology and the adaptation of printed designs into luxury objects, illustrating how engravings by Northern artists were reinterpreted for enamelists working in regional workshops.

Artist & collection

Artist

Martin Didier Pape

Martin Didier Pape painted stories on small copper panels in the late 1500s. Look for *Old Woman Telling the Tale of Psyche* in the bundle—a scene of an elder spinning a myth in rich, detailed colors. These copper…