Hoop (Spes) 1601 - 1652

This is an engraving of the allegorical figure Spes, or Hope, made by an anonymous artist. Spes is set against a landscape and cave, a large anchor diagonally crosses her chest and she holds a scroll in her hand. Images such as Spes, were part of a visual vocabulary used in the 16th and 17th centuries to offer moral and spiritual guidance. Allegories like Spes became potent symbols, used by those in positions of power to reinforce social norms. Yet, for the individual, they provided a means to contemplate life’s complexities. Spes invites us to consider where we place our hope, whether in tangible objects or in the promise of the divine. The figure of Spes also draws attention to the gendered nature of hope. Often depicted as a female figure, hope becomes intertwined with expectations of women as caregivers. The text at the bottom translates as: "I recreate those who are grieving, so that life may not be bitter, / and bravely, I offer sweet consolations in adversity."