Venus verzoekt in de vergadering der goden aan Jupiter om Telemachus te mogen vernietigen 1719 - 1775

Rienk Keyert created this watercolor and pen artwork, 'Venus requests Jupiter in the assembly of the gods to destroy Telemachus,' a title that immediately plunges us into the drama of divine politics. Keyert, living in the 18th century, painted in a time when the stories of gods and goddesses were not just myths, but also mirrors reflecting the social hierarchies and power plays of human society. Here, Venus, a powerful goddess, uses her influence to seek the destruction of Telemachus. The assembly of gods, seemingly detached, reveals a celestial bureaucracy, complicit in Venus's vengeful request. It’s impossible not to consider gender and power as we witness Venus using her divine status to manipulate events. This work offers more than just a mythological scene. It is a reflection on how power is negotiated, and how deeply personal vendettas can be woven into the fabric of societal structures, even among the gods.