Meleager Presenting the Boar's Head to Atalanta 

Andrea Briosco, called Riccio, created this bronze plaquette titled "Meleager Presenting the Boar's Head to Atalanta" in the late 15th or early 16th century. During the Renaissance, mythological narratives were often revisited to reflect contemporary social values and gender dynamics. Here, we see the story of Meleager offering the spoils of the Calydonian boar hunt to Atalanta. Look closely at the way Atalanta is depicted; she was a huntress known for her strength and independence, yet she's presented here in a moment of receiving recognition from a man. This raises questions about the complexities of female agency and recognition in a patriarchal society. Consider, too, how Riccio, as a male artist, might be positioning these figures within the context of his own time, inviting us to reflect on how stories from the past continue to shape our understanding of gender roles and power dynamics.