Geboorte van Adonis 1605

Hendrick Goltzius made this chalk drawing of the birth of Adonis in the Netherlands. Mythological scenes like this were popular at the time, but they also reflected deeper social values. Goltzius’s interest in classical mythology and the male nude comes directly from the Italian Renaissance. The Netherlands was an important center for art during this period, but it was also a place of intense religious and political conflict. Artists like Goltzius often had to balance the demands of different patrons and navigate a complex web of social and cultural expectations. As an art historian, I see this drawing as part of a larger story about the changing role of art in society. By studying the institutions that supported artists like Goltzius, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social forces that shaped his work and the ways in which art can both reflect and challenge existing social norms.