Sol (The Sun) 1528

Master I.B.’s engraving, *Sol (The Sun)*, made around 1525, reflects the cultural currents of the early Renaissance and its fascination with classical antiquity. The image draws upon Greco-Roman mythology, where Sol embodies the sun as a male deity, a common trope in Renaissance art. Here, Sol is presented as a regal figure, complete with crown and scepter, standing confidently alongside a lion. A symbol of power, this resonates with the period's emphasis on humanism and the celebration of human potential. Master I.B. adopts a traditional representation of power and authority, yet the intimate scale of the engraving allows for a more personal engagement with the divine. This work invites us to consider how historical narratives are constructed and disseminated, subtly reinforcing existing hierarchies. Consider the relationship between the sun, a symbol of life-giving energy, and the assertion of male dominance in the cultural imagination. How might alternative representations challenge these established norms?