Goden maken ketenen om Jupiter uit de hemelen te trekken 1501 - 1580

Giulio Bonasone created this engraving, "Goden maken ketenen om Jupiter uit de hemelen te trekken," sometime in the 16th century. We see a scene populated with classical gods. But rather than presenting them as paragons of virtue, the artist depicts them engaged in conflict, and even conspiracy. Bonasone made this print in Italy, a place and time where the power of the Catholic Church was at its peak. It's hard to imagine that an educated artist like Bonasone was unaware of the implications of depicting gods plotting against a supreme ruler. The image subtly questions authority, perhaps reflecting the social and political tensions of the time. Was it critiquing the power structures of its own time? To better understand the context of this image, we can turn to classical literature, histories of the Catholic Church, and studies of the printmaking industry in 16th century Italy. These resources can help us understand how the image might have been interpreted at the time, and what it might tell us about the social and political role of art.