The chariot of the sun, from 'Aurora' of Guido Reni 

"The Chariot of the Sun," after Guido Reni, was etched by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in the 18th century. Piranesi lived during a time of great social change as the enlightenment ideals began to challenge traditional beliefs. In this print, we witness a grand mythological scene, a chariot led by Apollo, god of the sun, surrounded by the figures of Aurora and the Hours. It is hard to ignore the way the bodies are presented. The women, draped in flowing robes, have a certain softness while Apollo and the male figures have a sculpted muscularity. This way of representing gender was very much the norm in the 1700s. What might it mean to reclaim this imagery? Can we reimagine these powerful figures in a way that reflects our own experiences and understandings of power and beauty? "The Chariot of the Sun" invites us to reflect on how societal norms influence the way we see ourselves and others.