Apollo and Coronis 1608

Adam Elsheimer painted “Apollo and Coronis” in the early 17th century, a period marked by renewed interest in classical mythology. The image shows Apollo discovering his lover Coronis with another man. A scene of passion turns to tragedy, illustrating themes of divine power, betrayal, and vengeance. Elsheimer was German, but he painted this artwork in Italy, where he was influenced by the Italian Renaissance. The painting reflects the cultural values of its time. It emphasizes the importance of divine authority and the consequences of infidelity. The drama of the narrative aligns with the Baroque sensibilities. To fully appreciate this artwork, we need to turn to classical texts and look at the prevailing social norms around love, honor, and power in the 17th century. Art is contingent on social and institutional context, and it’s the role of the historian to interpret art within these frameworks.