Ceres derided by Stellio 1548 - 1606

This etching, "Ceres derided by Stellio," was created by Karel van Mander III in the 17th century. The composition is built around a stark contrast of light and shadow, achieved through dense, interwoven lines. This dramatizes the scene, focusing our attention on Ceres and her tormentors, heightening the emotional tension. The artist uses line and shadow to create a theatrical space where the figures are caught in a moment of intense interaction. The etching’s composition draws from the semiotic language of the period, and the artist uses shadow and grotesque imagery to challenge classical ideals of beauty and decorum. Notice how van Mander III’s formal choices—his dramatic use of chiaroscuro— serve not just to depict a scene, but also to engage with broader philosophical questions about the nature of beauty, power, and representation. The artwork invites us to question how art can destabilize established meanings and create new ways of thinking about these concepts.