Atalanta and Meleager with Fountains of Versailles 1685 - 1699

Antonio Tempesta’s large-scale tapestry of Atalanta and Meleager with Fountains of Versailles, made in the late 16th or early 17th century, presents a compelling intersection of mythology, power, and landscape. Tempesta, an Italian artist working at a time of great social upheaval and religious conflict, weaves together classical narratives with contemporary symbols of wealth and authority. Atalanta, a fierce huntress, challenges conventional gender roles, while Meleager, a hero from Greek mythology, represents male valor and nobility. The tapestry juxtaposes these figures with depictions of the Fountains of Versailles, which themselves were emblems of royal power, control, and opulence. The tapestry invites us to reflect on the ways that power, gender, and class are performed and negotiated through art. Here, mythology is re-envisioned to accommodate the contemporary values of wealth and aristocracy. The heroic and divine are interwoven with images of power, creating a landscape where myth and reality blur, reflecting the complex social hierarchies of the time.