Diana at the Bath c. 1631

This etching, Diana at the Bath, was made by Rembrandt van Rijn in the 17th century, a time when the Dutch Golden Age was in full bloom. Here, Rembrandt presents his interpretation of the mythological goddess Diana. Yet, rather than depicting her with idealized beauty, as was typical, Rembrandt's Diana is strikingly human, a woman with a palpable presence. This choice challenges the traditional, often unattainable, representations of women in art, and emphasizes the beauty found in reality. Rembrandt was known for capturing the psychological depth of his subjects, and here, Diana's gaze meets ours directly, inviting introspection. Rembrandt seems to ask us what does it mean to see and be seen? What does it mean to be a woman, a goddess, observed? In this quietly powerful image, Rembrandt offers us an alternative narrative, one that celebrates the beauty and strength inherent in simply being.