Icarus 1588

Hendrick Goltzius created "Icarus" using engraving techniques around the late 16th century. The print captures Icarus mid-fall, a moment of tragic descent after flying too close to the sun. Icarus embodies a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked ambition. The story of Icarus is framed by the prevailing social structures of the time. Icarus, a child, fails to heed the wisdom of his father, Daedalus. There is a parallel to the period's societal emphasis on hierarchy, patriarchy, and the importance of obedience. The story of Icarus warns against overreach and defying divine or natural limits, but it's hard not to feel sympathy for the desire to escape imprisonment, even if it leads to destruction. Icarus’s story is a visceral reminder of the human condition, of our aspirations, and of our potential downfall when we ignore the limits of our humanity.