Cassandra voorspelt de ondergang van Troje 1731

Bernard Picart created this engraving titled "Cassandra voorspelt de ondergang van Troje" sometime between 1673 and 1733. It depicts Cassandra, a figure from Greek mythology, prophesying the downfall of Troy. Picart made this work during the Enlightenment, a period marked by reason, skepticism, and a revival of interest in classical antiquity. Cassandra, cursed to see the future but never to be believed, embodies a tragic figure of misunderstood truth. In this image, she stands on the steps of a palace, her arms outstretched as she warns the Trojans of their impending doom. Consider the power dynamics at play: Cassandra, a woman, speaks truth to power, yet her voice is dismissed. The men around her, soldiers and citizens alike, disregard her warnings, blinded by their own hubris. Picart invites us to reflect on the consequences of ignoring uncomfortable truths, particularly those spoken by marginalized voices. The emotional weight of Cassandra's unheeded prophecy resonates even today, reminding us of the importance of listening to those who see what others cannot.