Rhetorica before 1582

Jacques de Gheyn created "Rhetorica" in the late 16th century using pen and brown ink, with a brown wash, over black chalk. Here, Rhetorica, the art of persuasive speaking or writing, is personified as a woman. Her power is symbolized by the caduceus staff, a symbol of Hermes or Mercury, gods of eloquence. Notice how the two male figures are actively learning from her, emphasizing the importance of rhetoric in education and civic life during the Renaissance. The work reflects the complex gender dynamics of the period. Although women were often excluded from formal education, Rhetorica here is a female figure, a nod to the classical tradition where rhetoric held immense sway. It challenges conventional gender roles by positioning a woman as the source of knowledge and authority, albeit within the allegorical realm. De Gheyn invites us to consider the multifaceted nature of communication and knowledge. It encourages us to reflect on how we represent authority and knowledge.