Rustende Diana, uit de triomfen van de goden c. 1729 - 1745

"Resting Diana, from the triumphs of the Gods" is a large tapestry created by Urbanus Leyniers, a Flemish tapestry maker, around the turn of the 18th century. Leyniers situates us in a mythological scene which reflects the society he inhabited. Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, embodies a powerful, independent femininity, yet the tapestry also presents a tableau of female leisure and subservience, woven into the fabric of aristocratic life. It's fascinating to consider the historical context: the tapestry was made at a time when powerful women often had to navigate societal expectations of domesticity and beauty while trying to assert their influence in a male-dominated world. The female figures, with their varied expressions and poses, invite a complex dialogue about gender roles and power dynamics. Reflect on how this image of mythological triumph is also quietly revealing of the social triumphs and constraints of its own time.