Ornament met gevleugelde vrouw 1504 - 1533

This is an engraving of an ornament with a winged woman, made by an anonymous artist. The print showcases a mythological female figure, whose naked torso is centrally positioned. The winged woman holds a vase above her head, and is flanked by two birds. We can see this print as an emblem of strength and perhaps even beauty. The androgynous figure blurs conventional gender lines, challenging the notions of femininity and masculinity, and raising questions about how gender is represented. During this period, prints like these would have been used by artisans as inspiration for the decoration of functional objects or architectural elements. It gives us a fascinating glimpse into the visual culture and decorative arts of the time. While we don't know who made this print or when exactly it was made, we can still appreciate its aesthetic qualities and the questions it provokes about identity and representation.