Andrija Medulić in Metropolitan Museum of Art

Andrija Medulić (c. 1510/1515–1563) also known as Andrea Meldolla and Andrea Schiavone was 16th century painter and etcher, born in Zadar, Croatia. His nickname Schiavone means ‘Slav’, reflecting the fact that he was born in Dalmatia (then under Venetian jurisdiction). Although initially much influenced by Parmigianino and Italian Mannerism, he was also a strikingly daring exponent of Venetian painting techniques, and ultimately combined both in his works, influencing Titian, Tintoretto, and Jacopo Bassano among others. Medulić’s balletic figures done in a vigorous, painterly style were highly innovative and important to a younger generation of painters. His most characteristic works were religious or mythological pictures for private patrons.

This painting, which measures 130×155 cm and  is in the collection of Metropolitan Museum, represents the marriage of Cupid, the God of Love, with Psyche, in the presence of Juno, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and other gods of Olympus, as narrated by Apuleius in “The Golden Ass”. It seems to have formed the central panel of a ceiling with scenes from the legend of Psyche, painted by Medulić in about 1550 for the Castello di Salvatore di Collato.

Below is his small drawing (15×10 cm) of Mars and Cupid, done in ink and brown wash, also from Met collection. (click for enlargement)