Mercurius ontsteelt Venus haar gordel c. 1705 - 1754

Jacob de Wit created this monochrome drawing, titled 'Mercurius Stealing Venus's Belt,' using pen and gray ink, likely as a preparatory study. De Wit, working in the Dutch Republic during the 18th century, specialized in ceiling paintings, a popular form of interior decoration among the wealthy. The image shows a scene populated by classical figures, a popular subject matter at the time, depicting the Roman god Mercury stealing the girdle from Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. In the historical context of the Dutch Republic, which had a powerful merchant class, classical imagery was frequently used to symbolize wealth, power, and cultural sophistication. However, here, Venus's vulnerability asks us to consider the dynamics of power and gender within these narratives. What does it mean to depict a goddess in a moment of vulnerability, and what does it say about the society that consumed these images? Ultimately, this drawing invites us to consider the complex interplay between mythology, gender, and power.