The metamorphosis of Amymone who lies at center leaning on her arm, surrounded by Apollo at left, Neptune at right and two satyrs 1485 - 1495

Girolamo Mocetto created this engraving, titled 'The Metamorphosis of Amymone,' sometime in the late 15th or early 16th century. Mocetto worked in Venice during the Renaissance, a time when artists were very interested in classical mythology. Here, Amymone reclines in the center, surrounded by gods and satyrs. The scene depicts the story of Amymone, daughter of Danaus, who was pursued by Neptune and transformed into a spring. This print exists within a patriarchal framework where female bodies were often depicted as objects of male desire and divine power. The presence of satyrs, mythical creatures known for their lustful nature, adds a layer of voyeurism to the scene. Mocetto’s choice to highlight this moment of transformation invites us to consider the complex interplay between desire, power, and the female form in Renaissance art. It also evokes a sense of vulnerability and questions the narratives we tell about transformation and agency.