Verzameling van goden op de Olympus (rechter deel) 1660 - 1692

Pietro Aquila created this section of an engraving titled 'Assembly of Gods on Olympus' in the late 17th century. The baroque style of the work positions it within a complex web of social, political, and religious tensions of the time. In this scene, classical deities are arranged amidst clouds, their idealized forms embodying a hierarchy of power and beauty. The figures are gendered, with the male gods often depicted in active, dominant poses, while the goddesses are in more passive or nurturing roles, in line with traditional representations. Yet, within this apparent order, a sense of theatricality and drama hints at the changing societal landscape and the questioning of established norms. Aquila uses the mythological subject to subtly reflect the emotional and ideological currents of his time, inviting viewers to contemplate the shifting boundaries of representation and belief. While perpetuating certain conventions, the artwork also captures a moment of transition, as it mirrors the era's evolving understanding of gender, power, and identity.