Allegorical composition with six Olympian gods gathered around a figure in armor 1615 - 1635

Oliviero Gatti created this allegorical composition with six Olympian gods sometime between 1610 and 1630, using etching on a sheet. During Gatti’s time, mythological subjects were commonly employed to convey complex ideas about power, virtue, and morality. The prominence of male figures and classical armor reflects the patriarchal values of the 17th century. The figure in armor could symbolize military prowess, linking ideas of masculinity with strength and authority. The gathering of gods around this figure might suggest divine endorsement of worldly power. The inclusion of both male and female deities introduces questions about gender roles, and power dynamics. What roles are they playing and what messages do these roles communicate? This etching invites us to consider the narratives of power, gender, and divine will that were being constructed and reinforced in Gatti's time, and to reflect on the legacy of these representations today.