Jupiter en de Olympische goden rond een tafel after 1633

This engraving, “Jupiter and the Olympian Gods around a table,” now held in the Rijksmuseum, was created by an anonymous artist. In this gathering of gods, Jupiter sits front and center. In many ways, this engraving reflects its cultural moment. Consider the use of classical mythology to convey power. It is an established visual language, but also a way of thinking about social hierarchies. Who gets a seat at the table? Who is pouring the wine? Who is offering the crown? The artist’s choices about which gods to include, and how to depict them, reveals a complex interplay of power, gender, and identity. It’s a reminder that even in the realm of the gods, social dynamics are always at play.