The Seizure of Cassandra by Ajax from a set of The Horses 1645 - 1675

"The Seizure of Cassandra by Ajax," a tapestry at the Met made by Frans Cleyn, brings a classical scene to life, interwoven with threads of power, gender, and violence. The tapestry depicts a moment of conquest from the Trojan War, focusing on Ajax's brutal abduction of Cassandra. Cleyn, working in the 17th century, navigates complex cultural terrain by representing this story in a grand scale suitable for elite display. What does it mean to depict such an act with such grandeur? The tapestry makes visible the narratives of dominance and submission, reflecting the power dynamics of its own time. The story of Cassandra, a woman violated during wartime, speaks to the ways in which women's bodies become symbolic territories in times of conflict. This tapestry invites us to consider the legacies of violence and the stories we continue to tell about power, loss, and resistance.