Drie schikgodinnen 1588 - 1652

Jacob Matham made this engraving titled "The Three Fates" sometime between 1586 and 1631 in the Netherlands. Here, the classical theme of the Fates—the goddesses who determine human destiny—is rendered with a certain Northern European sensibility. What does it mean to represent destiny in this way? Matham’s engraving suggests the social conditions that shape artistic production. The Northern Renaissance occurred during the rise of humanism. The rediscovery of classical literature and art led to a new interest in the human form and earthly experience. Though, the rise of Protestantism created a tension between earthly and divine matters, and engravings like this, combining classical and local influences, reflect these historical, religious, and philosophical tensions. The historian seeks to better understand the context in which this engraving was produced by researching classical literature and art, as well as the social and religious history of the Netherlands during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. This approach helps us understand how art engages with and reflects the social structures of its time.