Jupiter omhelst Io 1568

Hendrick Goltzius made this drawing titled 'Jupiter Embraces Io', location unknown, using pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over black chalk. At first glance, this drawing depicts a tender embrace, but through the lens of history, it reveals a darker narrative rooted in power and mythology. In Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Jupiter’s pursuit of Io is an act of dominance, transforming her into a heifer to conceal her from his wife, Juno. Goltzius was working in the 16th Century during a time of religious and political upheaval. The image reflects the prevalent gender dynamics and the complex intersections of desire, deceit, and transformation. Consider the emotional weight of Io's transformation, a loss of agency and identity. Goltzius prompts us to confront uncomfortable truths about power, consent, and the enduring legacy of mythology in shaping our understanding of the human condition.