Thisbe vlucht voor een leeuw c. 1590 - 1728

Hendrick Goltzius made this print, “Thisbe fleeing from a Lion,” sometime around 1617. During this period, the visual arts were often used to reinforce moral lessons, but consider, too, the role of gender in determining who got to tell those stories. Here, Thisbe is represented in a moment of terror, running from a lion, alone in a landscape that seems to mirror her internal turmoil. This print engages with themes of vulnerability and fear, playing into the patriarchal narratives where women are portrayed as needing protection. But consider how the print also captures Thisbe's agency in her flight. The story focuses on the tragic love between Thisbe and Pyramus, emphasizing themes of forbidden love and sacrifice, but what do you feel when focusing on Thisbe’s solitary plight? This print invites us to reflect on the societal expectations placed on women, the dangers they face, and the moments of resilience they display, even in the face of overwhelming fear.