Plate 3: Jupiter emerging from a niche, riding an eagle and holding a thunderbolt in his left hand, from "Mythological Gods and Goddesses" 1526

"Plate 3: Jupiter emerging from a niche, riding an eagle and holding a thunderbolt in his left hand," was created by Giovanni Jacopo Caraglio, in the 16th century, a period marked by the Renaissance's revival of classical antiquity. Caraglio's print presents Jupiter, the Roman iteration of Zeus, as a figure of supreme power and authority. The god's muscular physique and commanding presence reflect the era's fascination with idealized human forms. Simultaneously, this depiction reinforces a patriarchal image of power, deeply rooted in the socio-political structures of the time. Jupiter’s dominance over the eagle, a symbol of imperial strength, speaks to the period's investment in hierarchical power structures. The intensity in Jupiter's eyes and the drama of his emergence invite us to consider the emotional landscape of power. The print both reflects and shapes the viewer’s understanding of divine authority in a world undergoing seismic shifts in religious and political thought.