Meleager strijdt met zijn ooms om de zwijnenkop c. 1712 - 1767

Jacob Folkema created this engraving, titled 'Meleager fighting his uncles for the boar's head', in the 18th century. Folkema, working in the Netherlands, here engages with classical mythology, a common theme during the Age of Enlightenment. This piece depicts a scene of conflict and contested honor. The story centers around Meleager, a hero who led a hunt for a monstrous boar. After the hunt, he awarded the boar's head to Atalanta, a female huntress, because she was the first to wound the beast. This decision enraged Meleager's uncles, leading to a heated dispute over gender roles and recognition. The ensuing fight, captured here by Folkema, ultimately led to the death of Meleager at the hands of his own mother, Althaea. Through this dramatic scene, Folkema touches on themes of gender dynamics, familial conflict, and the tragic consequences of challenging social norms. The intensity of the struggle reminds us of the deep emotional and personal stakes embedded in questions of power, identity, and societal expectations.