Diana 1528 - 1583

Etienne Delaune created this engraving titled Diana in the 16th century. Delaune, working in a time of religious upheaval, navigated the social and political landscape of Renaissance Europe. The print depicts Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, moon, and wilderness, surrounded by ornate decorations. Delaune's choice to represent Diana, a powerful female figure, reflects the complex dynamics of gender and power in the Renaissance. Diana symbolizes both independence and the constraints placed on women. Her association with the wilderness could be seen as a reference to the areas women were permitted to occupy in society. Consider how Delaune uses the medium of engraving to reflect and shape societal issues. The detailed rendering of Diana and her attributes invites us to reflect on the goddess’s qualities of strength, independence, and connection to the natural world.