Semiramis Building Babylon 1861

Edgar Degas painted 'Semiramis Building Babylon' during the 1860s. In this work, he depicts a scene from ancient history, filtered through a 19th-century lens. Degas represents Semiramis, the mythical Assyrian queen, overseeing the construction of Babylon. Consider how Degas, a man working within a patriarchal society, interprets this powerful female figure. Semiramis stands tall, directing the city's construction, while surrounded by a diverse group of people involved in her ambitious project. The image presents the viewer with a spectacle of female power and leadership at a time when women were largely excluded from such roles in public life. The painting also hints at the complex social dynamics of labor and power. By setting his scene in the ancient world, Degas invites us to reflect on how these dynamics have persisted and evolved over time. What does it mean to depict a woman in charge of a massive construction project? It is a testament to the artist’s own engagement with the changing roles of women in society.