Plate 27: Semele's Wish (Semele divino Ious concubitu occiditur), from Ovid's 'Metamorphoses' 1606

Antonio Tempesta created this engraving, "Semele's Wish," illustrating a scene from Ovid's Metamorphoses. It depicts Semele, struck down by the unveiled glory of Jupiter. Note how Jupiter sits enthroned upon a cloud accompanied by an eagle, embodying power, and Juno, attended by her peacock, symbolizing vigilance and jealousy. Semele’s gesture of shielding her eyes speaks volumes. This act echoes across art history, think of the figures averting their gaze from Medusa or the divine light, representing a primal fear and awe of the sublime. In both instances, the gesture is not just of protection but of recognition of a boundary between the mortal and the divine. Consider how the 'averted gaze' motif is not merely a visual element, but a psychological reflection of humanity's complex relationship with the sacred. This symbol, ever-evolving, continues to engage viewers, stirring deep, subconscious emotions tied to our collective memory of the divine and the forbidden.