Afgunst veroorzaakt een strijd tussen de Goden c. 1537 - 1555

This print by Cornelis Bos, made around 1546, visualizes the destructive power of envy by depicting a battle between the gods. During the 16th century in the Netherlands, prints like this one played an important role in disseminating classical stories and moral lessons to a wider audience. Envy is personified as a viper, its venomous tongue inciting conflict among the deities. Look closely, and you can see how Bos renders each god with distinct attributes and emotional responses, from fury to fear, all triggered by this singular, destructive force. Classical mythology, like much of Western art, often reinforces hierarchies and power dynamics through gendered and racialized lenses. Here, the chaos is a direct result of unchecked emotion, challenging the viewer to consider the consequences of such discord. The artist uses the struggle of these idealized figures to invite us to reflect on the darker aspects of human nature and the social order. How does the struggle for power and recognition impact both individual well-being and collective harmony?