Oratio Cassandre Venete 1484 - 1494

Peter Wagner created this woodcut print, Oratio Cassandre Venete, likely around 1489 in Nuremberg. Wagner was working in a society still heavily influenced by the church, yet on the cusp of a humanist revolution. The print depicts Cassandra, a figure from Greek mythology known for her prophecies which were never believed. Here, she is being adorned, perhaps for a ceremony or sacrifice, reflecting the era's intertwining of classical themes with contemporary religious and social practices. Notice how Cassandra, though central, is presented as an object of ritual, her voice unheard. This resonates with the limited agency women had during this period. The image offers a glimpse into the lives of women, seen but not necessarily heard, caught between sacred duty and social constraint. The emotional weight of this piece lies in its silent narrative, inviting reflection on themes of fate, voice, and the societal roles imposed upon women.