Buste van de godin Vesta 1646 - 1670

This is Hubert Quellinus's engraving of the Buste van de godin Vesta, now held at the Rijksmuseum. In the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age, artists like Quellinus were deeply influenced by classical antiquity. Vesta, the Roman goddess of hearth, home, and family, was often depicted as a symbol of purity and domesticity. Quellinus, however, subtly challenges this traditional representation. While Vesta retains a serene and composed demeanor, there’s also a hint of defiance in her gaze. The subtle lines of the engraving capture a sense of inner strength, hinting at a woman who is not merely a passive figurehead, but an active guardian of her domain. How might the expectation of women during Quellinus's time shape his artistic choices? How could those choices at the same time develop alternative narratives about female power? This piece invites us to reconsider the roles and expectations placed upon women, both in ancient Rome and in Quellinus's own era, inviting a dialogue about gender, power, and representation that resonates even today.