Diana 1687 - 1748

Martin Schedel created this engraving, titled ‘Diana’, sometime between the late 17th and early 18th century. The image of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, is a fascinating lens through which to view the era’s complex relationship with the natural world and the feminine ideal. Here, Diana is depicted reclining in a landscape, surrounded by cherubic figures. The goddess is not merely a figure of strength and independence; she is also presented as an object of aesthetic contemplation. Schedel’s Diana maintains the traditional representation of powerful women in mythology, yet also hints at the tensions between the active and passive roles assigned to women in society. The work invites a reflection on the roles, expectations, and representations of women, both then and now. It serves as a reminder of how societal expectations and ideals are constructed, challenged, and continuously redefined through art.