Mars, geflankeerd door twee saters 1528 - 1573

Etienne Delaune created this delicate engraving, Mars, flanked by two satyrs, in the 16th century. Delaune, working in Renaissance Europe, navigated the complex social currents of religious reform and courtly life. Here, Mars, the Roman god of war, stands centrally, flanked by satyrs, creatures often associated with revelry and the wild. This juxtaposition invites contemplation of the multifaceted aspects of masculinity. Mars embodies valor and aggression, while the satyrs represent a more unrestrained, primal male sexuality. The tight composition seems to question the prevailing norms of masculinity and desire. The artist seems to ask, can men be both warriors and creatures of pleasure? The engraving is not just a mythological scene but a cultural artifact reflecting and shaping the era's understanding of identity, power, and pleasure.