Dood van Meleager 1683 - 1710

Bernard Picart made this engraving, *Death of Meleager,* sometime between 1673 and 1733. As was common at the time, Picart depicts a scene from classical mythology. Here we see the hero Meleager dying as a result of his mother burning the enchanted log that sustained his life. As an engraver, Picart was tied to the world of publishing and book illustration. Such images played a crucial role in disseminating knowledge of classical history and culture, particularly among elite audiences. This print reflects the taste of his patrons for dramatic scenes rendered in a detailed, academic style. But it also raises interesting questions about the role of women and their power, even in ancient society. Meleager's fate is sealed by the actions of two women: the goddess Artemis, who sends a wild boar to ravage his kingdom, and his mother Althaea, who avenges her brothers by destroying the log. To understand this work more fully, one might consult books on classical mythology, the history of printmaking, and the role of women in early modern Europe.