Minerva and Mercury Arming Perseus 1604

Jan Muller created this engraving, "Minerva and Mercury Arming Perseus," around the turn of the 17th century in the Netherlands. The image depicts a scene from classical mythology. But to what end? We might consider how classical subjects functioned in the visual culture of the time. This was an era when artists looked to the past for models of virtue and heroism. But it was also a time of emerging capitalism and the rise of merchant power, particularly in the Netherlands. Is it possible that the artist was making a comment on the social structures of his own time? To understand this, art historians often consult period literature, religious texts, economic data, and political writings. By examining these sources, we can understand how art engaged with the issues of its day.