Eunuchus, from The Comedie of Terence, 19th century reprint 1485 - 1528

This woodcut, *Eunuchus*, a 19th-century reprint after Albrecht Dürer's image, transports us to the world of Roman playwright Terence. Dürer, a towering figure of the Northern Renaissance, lived in a time of immense social and religious upheaval. His artistic vision was shaped by the Protestant Reformation and a changing understanding of the individual. Here, we see a figure confidently striding forward, and are confronted with questions of identity and power, as the title tells us he is a eunuch, historically a man who has been castrated. This image invites us to consider the complex intersections of gender, sexuality, and social status in the context of the early modern world. The figure walks with an assured gait but remains trapped within societal expectations and prejudices. This poignant tension speaks to broader issues of marginalization and the struggle for self-definition. The work asks us to reflect on the historical and cultural contexts that continue to shape our perceptions today.