Minerva vraagt Nijd om jaloezie in Aglauros te ontsteken c. 1572 - 1652

This engraving, made by Johannes or Lucas van Doetechum, depicts Minerva’s request to the goddess Nijd, or Invidia, to infect Aglauros with jealousy. See how Nijd is portrayed, crouched and withered in the lower right, embodying the destructive power of envy. Consider the serpent, a recurrent motif slithering throughout the scene. It represents temptation and deceit, and can be found as far back as ancient Mesopotamian art. Its sinuous form carries through time, echoing in medieval depictions of the Garden of Eden. Here, the serpent underscores the insidious nature of envy, subtly poisoning the idyllic landscape. The psychological weight of envy, *Nijd*, or *Invidia*, taps into our deepest insecurities and desires. The artist understands how these emotions can distort our perceptions and drive destructive behaviours. This is not merely an illustration of a classical myth but a mirror reflecting humanity’s timeless struggle with its darker impulses.