Sibylle Hellespontique 1630 - 1640

Gilles Rousselet created "Sibylle Hellespontique," a print now residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, during a time when mythological and allegorical figures were popular subjects. This artwork invites us to consider how women were represented in 17th-century art. The Sibyls were female figures from Greek and Roman tradition who were believed to be prophets or oracles, embodying wisdom and foresight. The serene yet melancholic expression and rose branch may reflect the weight of prophesy and the burden of knowledge in a patriarchal world where women's voices were often marginalized. The artist’s delicate rendering of her drapery and pensive gaze evoke a sense of vulnerability and introspection. "Sibylle Hellespontique" offers a glimpse into the complex interplay between gender, power, and representation in the art of the period, while also highlighting the emotional and psychological dimensions of these mythological figures.