Meleager and Atalanta, from 'Game of Mythology' (Jeu de la Mythologie) 1644

This etching of Meleager and Atalanta is by Stefano della Bella, an Italian printmaker active in the mid-17th century. Della Bella was known for his decorative and ornamental prints that capture the social customs and theatrical entertainments of his era. Part of a series called ‘Game of Mythology’, this tiny print depicts a scene from Greek mythology. Meleager presents Atalanta with the head of the Calydonian Boar, a beast terrorizing the kingdom. Atalanta, a skilled huntress, was the first to wound the boar, but Meleager ultimately killed it. The story is freighted with gender dynamics. Atalanta, often presented as an androgynous figure, challenges traditional gender roles. The offering of the boar's head is charged with male bravado, yet it also acknowledges Atalanta’s crucial role in the hunt. Their interaction, though seemingly celebratory, is underpinned by tensions of recognition, power, and the negotiation of gendered expectations. It gives you pause to consider how society values different contributions.