Achilles geneest Telephos c. 1700

J. Alexander Janssens created this small engraving entitled ‘Achilles geneest Telephos’, or Achilles Healing Telephus. The scene comes from Greek mythology. Telephus was wounded by Achilles, and the wound would not heal. An oracle told Telephus that only Achilles could heal him. Here, we see Achilles using rust from his spear to heal Telephus. Janssens was working within a visual culture steeped in classical and mythological narratives, often used to convey moral or allegorical messages. Look at the composition; it’s filled with male bodies, rendered with a focus on musculature and heroic poses, perpetuating ideals of masculinity rooted in strength and combat. Achilles' act of healing, however, complicates this narrative. It introduces a vulnerability and interdependence rarely seen in traditional depictions of heroes. It makes me think about how we often see the world in binaries: strength/weakness, victor/vanquished. But what happens when those lines blur? What new stories become possible?