Reproductie van een prent van vier medaillons door Crispijn van de Passe I, afgebeeld Jupiter, Paris, Venus en Mercurius before 1880

This is a reproduction of a print of four medallions, depicting Jupiter, Paris, Venus and Mercury, by an anonymous artist. Prints like these circulated widely, impacting social and cultural values of the time. The themes present, centered around classical mythology, would have been common knowledge among the literate elite. Each medallion operates as a symbolic representation of masculine and feminine archetypes as understood through a patriarchal lens. The figures of Jupiter, Paris, Venus, and Mercury present idealized forms that reflect the gendered expectations of the time. Consider the narratives associated with each figure. Jupiter, the powerful king, and Mercury, the messenger, contrast with Venus, the goddess of love, and Paris, often remembered for his judgement of beauty. These portrayals don't merely depict classical figures, they embody the societal expectations of gender, power, and beauty. Prints like these served as tools for disseminating cultural norms, helping to shape the perceptions and beliefs of their viewers, and reinforcing the traditional social structures.