Dinah taken home by Simeon and Levi 1567 - 1570

Harmen Jansz. Muller created this engraving titled “Dinah taken home by Simeon and Levi”. It illustrates a biblical scene, rendered through the lens of 16th-century societal norms. The artwork depicts Dinah being escorted by her brothers after an act of vengeance against those who violated her. We see Dinah's distress, caught between male figures and their swords. The image foregrounds the patriarchal control over Dinah's body and agency, echoing the period's views on women as property and honour as something to be defended through violence. Muller, living in an era marked by religious and political conflict, reflects these tensions in his dramatic portrayal. The contrast between Dinah's vulnerability and the armed readiness of her brothers emphasizes the period's rigid gender roles and the violent assertion of power. This engraving, while depicting a specific biblical event, speaks to broader issues of identity, gender, and power dynamics. It invites us to reflect on how these themes persist across time, shaping our understanding of personal and collective histories.