Jupiter en Semele 1688 - 1700

Arnold Houbraken’s etching, Jupiter en Semele, presents a dramatic scene composed with dynamic lines and contrasting textures. The starkness of the etched lines accentuates the raw emotion of the figures, drawing us into a world of mythological intensity. The composition pivots around Jupiter, who stands tall, bearing both a child and the weight of Semele’s demise. Houbraken masterfully uses line and form to convey emotional tension. Jupiter's figure is rendered with a sense of urgency, while Semele’s form, consumed by divine fire, uses swirling lines to highlight her distress. The surrounding cherubs, rendered with a softer touch, offer a stark contrast to the central drama. Houbraken invites us to contemplate the nature of divine power and its consequences, reflecting broader artistic and philosophical concerns about human limitations when confronted with the sublime. This piece serves as a powerful meditation on the precariousness of mortal existence when intertwined with the immortal.