“The Wedding of Cupid and Psyche"

Thursday, 03 April 2008 07:19

Allentown, PA - The famous Renaissance frescoes Raphael designed for the ceiling of the garden loggia at the Villa Farnesina in Rome are renowned for being the first large-scale revival of antique subject matter and style. The antics and foibles of the ancient gods, culminating in the wedding of Cupid and Psyche, are given brilliant play in these paintings, which were executed in 1517-18 by the illustrious team of artists working in Raphael’s studio. On exhibition 4 May through 3 August, 2008 at the Allentown Art Museum.
 
Raphael’s fresco designs were reproduced in several sets of engravings by European artists to satisfy collectors’ interest in the antique. This exhibition features one such series of fourteen etchings executed in the seventeenth century by the accomplished German printmaker, Susanne Maria von Sandrart (1658-1716). Recently acquired by the Museum, these ambitious mythological prints reveal the impressive range of Sandrart’s skill and scope as a professional printmaker. The series adds considerably to the Museum’s growing print collection devoted to early women printmakers and is a fine example of the work of this seldom-seen artist.
 
Several eighteenth- and nineteenth-century textiles with printed designs depicting the gods and goddesses will also be featured in the exhibition.
 
For information and directions: Little more than 90 minutes west of Manhattan and one hour north of Philadelphia, the Allentown Art Museum is located at 31 North 5th Street in Allentown, PA. Please visit our Web site at www.allentownartmuseum.org , or call 610-432-4333, ext. 10, for directions, or to learn more about the Museum’s programs and exhibitions.
 
Museum and Museum Store Hours: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday, 12:00 to 5:00 PM Sunday. Closed Mondays and major holidays.
 
Admission: Tuesday through Saturday, admission is $6.00 adults, $4.00 seniors (60+) and students (with ID), $3.00 children 6-12.  Museum members and children under 6 are admitted free at all times. Museum admission is free on Sundays. Certain special exhibitions have an additional $5.00 admission fee.