Jupiter verandert koning Lycaon in een wolf c. 1636 - 1670

Crispijn van de Passe II created this engraving, titled "Jupiter verandert koning Lycaon in een wolf," during the 17th century. The print depicts a scene from Ovid's Metamorphoses, where King Lycaon is transformed into a wolf by Jupiter as punishment for his impiety and wickedness. Van de Passe lived in a time marked by religious and political upheaval. His work reflects the intersection of classical mythology and the moralizing tendencies of the era. Here, Lycaon's transformation can be viewed as an allegory of moral decay and divine retribution. The print invites us to reflect on the consequences of unchecked power and the potential for monstrous behavior when humanity loses its moral compass. The emotional impact of this image lies in its stark depiction of physical and moral degradation. Van de Passe uses the grotesque imagery of Lycaon's transformation to evoke feelings of revulsion and fear. The image serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of maintaining moral integrity in the face of temptation and corruption.