Diana 1787

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this engraving titled 'Diana'. Chodowiecki was a German-Polish artist active during the Enlightenment. As an engraver, he was deeply engaged with the social and political issues of his time. The ideals of the Enlightenment emphasized reason and individualism and challenged traditional norms, and Chodowiecki was a member of the Berlin Academy of Arts. In this historical context, Diana is poised to shoot her arrow while a priest holds what seems to be a chalice. There is a woman with her hands raised, perhaps in supplication, and three other women stand to the side. Chodowiecki’s work encourages us to consider the representation and agency of women in a changing society. Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, stands as a symbol of female strength. However, the gazes of those in attendance reflect a mix of fear and reverence, highlighting the complex and sometimes contradictory roles assigned to women. Consider how this image might speak to the tensions between traditional roles and the emerging ideals of the Enlightenment.