Enceladus onder de Etna 1731

This engraving by Bernard Picart, made around the turn of the 18th century, depicts the giant Enceladus buried under Mount Etna. The image draws on classical mythology, illustrating Enceladus's defeat by the goddess Athena. The giant's body is shown crushed beneath the weight of the volcano, a dramatic scene that speaks to the power dynamics between gods and giants. The choice of this subject during the Enlightenment reflects the period's fascination with classical themes, filtered through a contemporary lens of power and morality. The dramatic portrayal of Enceladus speaks to broader themes of subjugation and resistance. As we look at this image today, we might reflect on the stories we tell about power, and whose voices are amplified or suppressed in the process.