Mythologische voorstelling met man, vrouw en kind 1796

Henri Keller created this print, “Mythological Scene with Man, Woman, and Child,” using etching techniques. While the exact date of its creation remains unknown, the piece invites us to consider the narratives and power dynamics embedded in classical mythology. The print depicts a muscular, seated man, likely a god, attended by a veiled woman holding a child. This imagery echoes themes of authority and lineage prevalent in mythological tales, yet the stark presentation offers a space for questioning. How do traditional representations of masculinity and femininity play out here? What does it mean to see these archetypes rendered in such a formal, almost detached style? Classical myths are filled with drama and passion, but Keller's print has a strange, almost unsettling stillness. It invites us to consider the emotional and personal dimensions of these enduring stories, and whether they perpetuate or challenge the status quo.