Bruiloft van Peleus en Thetis 1622 - 1693

Alexandre Bettou created this engraving, "The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis" in the 17th century. During this time, Europe was shaped by rigid class structures where the wealthy elite commissioned art that often reinforced their status. Bettou's engraving depicts a mythological scene, the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, attended by gods and goddesses. But look closer at the lower portion of the image and you will notice the figure who is physically different to those that surround him; a servant perhaps. While the 'gods' are idealized, this character is not, and the contrast underscores the social hierarchies of the time. The choice to depict a wedding, a union often associated with prosperity and lineage, reflects the values of the aristocratic patrons who would have consumed such images. What do we make of the fact that even in mythology, inequality and difference is inscribed into the image? Ultimately, this artwork serves as a reminder of how even seemingly timeless mythological narratives are shaped by the socio-political contexts of their creation.