Amphitryon 1713

Gilbert Schoute created this engraving of Amphitryon, and within it, we find a convergence of classical mythology and theatrical drama. Notice the god Jupiter hovering above, seated on his eagle, alongside Mercury with his caduceus. These divine figures are not mere decorations; they are symbols of power, deception and transformation, central to the tale of Jupiter's guise as Amphitryon. The raised hands of the mortals below evoke a sense of wonder, mirroring gestures of awe and revelation found in ancient Greek tragedies. Think of similar hand gestures, resurfacing in Renaissance paintings of biblical scenes, or even in contemporary political rhetoric. In each context, this gesture conveys authority or divine intervention. It reminds us of the enduring human fascination with stories of gods influencing mortal affairs, a theme that has continued to capture our collective imagination.