Genius on a Dolphin, Riding Towards the Right 1521

Sebald Beham created this engraving of a winged child riding a dolphin in the 16th century. This was a period of immense social and religious upheaval, marked by the Protestant Reformation and the rise of humanism. The figure, often interpreted as a personification of genius or a putto, sits astride a fantastical dolphin-like creature. The image draws from classical mythology, where dolphins were seen as symbols of guidance and salvation. But the child, who is nude and winged, introduces a gendered innocence, complicating these symbols. Beham's choice of printmaking as a medium allowed for wider distribution of his work among the burgeoning middle class, which would challenge the artistic establishment. He was later exiled from Nuremberg for his radical views, reflecting the intense political and religious conflicts of the time. Ultimately, the image is an embodiment of the era's tension between tradition and change. The playful image offers a glimpse into the complex negotiations of identity and belief that defined Beham's world and continue to shape our own.