Kariatide met roeispan c. 1537 - 1555

Cornelis Bos created this print, “Kariatide met roeispan”, sometime in the early to mid-16th century. Here, a caryatid, a sculpted female figure used as an architectural support, stands tall, but this is no mere ornament. Bos reimagines her role, equipping her with an oar. The oar transforms her from a silent, structural element into an active participant, navigating unseen waters. During the Renaissance, classical forms were often used to explore new ideas about the human condition. Bos’s caryatid embodies a tension between strength and servitude. She bears weight, both literally and metaphorically, and now has a means of propulsion and change. This print invites us to reflect on the burdens women carry and the potential for them to redefine their roles. It whispers of resilience, agency, and the quiet power to chart one's own course.