Triumph of Galatea 1644

"Triumph of Galatea" is an engraving by Michel Dorigny, created in the mid-17th century. Dorigny, a French artist, lived and worked during a time of significant social and political upheaval, including the consolidation of absolute monarchy under Louis XIV. This piece depicts Galatea, a sea nymph from Greek mythology, in a triumphant procession. The imagery evokes ideas about power, beauty, and the feminine ideal. Galatea is surrounded by figures that seem to celebrate her, yet the male figure blowing the horn takes up just as much space. The cherubic figures above further enhance the celebratory, almost performative, aspect of the scene. This brings into question what part of Galatea’s story Dorigny found most interesting. Is this a moment of empowerment, or simply another act in a drama where women’s beauty dictates their fate? The print invites us to consider the complex interplay between mythology, gender, and power in 17th-century France, and the ways in which these themes continue to resonate today.