The Triumph of Caesar: Statues of Venus and Mercury 1503 - 1530

This woodcut, made by Jacob of Strasbourg around 1500, depicts a triumphal procession, replete with statues of Venus and Mercury. These deities, standing nude, were central figures in classical mythology, embodying love, beauty, commerce, and communication. The image's power lies in its connection to the visual language of triumph. One immediately thinks of the tradition of carrying statues of deities in celebrations, a practice seen in ancient Roman triumphs. These statues, often adorned and paraded, were not merely representations but were believed to embody the deities themselves, their presence invoked to bless and sanctify the occasion. Think of Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," created around the same time. The goddess emerges from the sea, a symbol of rebirth, yet here Venus is carried, subjugated within this triumphal act. The persistence of these classical motifs speaks to a deeper psychological need to connect with a glorious past. It’s a collective memory surfacing, a potent reminder of the cyclical nature of history and the endurance of symbols.