Personificatie van middelmatigheid 1710s

Arnold Houbraken created this engraving, "Personification of Mediocrity," likely in the late 17th or early 18th century, a time deeply influenced by classical allegories and moralizing messages. Here, Houbraken presents us with a female figure, only partially draped, leading both a lion and a sheep on leashes. The lion, traditionally a symbol of courage and strength, looks subdued and somewhat pathetic. This is juxtaposed with the sheep, often seen as docile and obedient. Together, they represent the concept of mediocrity: a state where power is tamed and conformity is valued. Houbraken, who was also a biographer, seemed deeply invested in defining the qualities of greatness and, conversely, the pitfalls of being unremarkable. Mediocrity, in this context, isn't just about lacking talent. It’s about the active suppression and misdirection of inherent potential. The woman seems to embody a cautionary figure, suggesting the dangers of complacency and the importance of striving for excellence. Think of the quiet despair of the lion, a king reduced to a pet. It invites us to consider what we might be taming or neglecting within ourselves.