Venus, Juno and Ceres c. 16th century

Curator: Marco Dente, who died very young, created this engraving entitled "Venus, Juno, and Ceres." It depicts the three goddesses in a scene of, shall we say, uneasy accord. Editor: Uneasy is right. My first impression is one of stifled power, of tensions barely concealed beneath the surface of classical beauty. Curator: Indeed. The inclusion of symbols, like Juno's peacock and Ceres' grapes, speaks to their individual domains of power, but also hints at their complex relationship with Venus. Editor: And there is also the fascinating treatment of the female form. These are not idealized visions but women rendered with a palpable humanity, their bodies asserting lived experience. Curator: The work offers a perspective on how women navigated the political landscape. In that era, female bodies were often politicized. Editor: It is a potent reminder that even deities grapple with power dynamics and societal constraints. Curator: A compelling piece. Editor: Absolutely; it resonates even now.