Geboorte van Bacchus 1616

Jacob Matham created this engraving titled 'Birth of Bacchus' around the turn of the 17th century. During this period, the Dutch Republic was asserting its cultural identity, often reinterpreting classical myths through a distinctly Northern lens. Here, Matham presents the dramatic birth of Bacchus, son of Jupiter and the mortal Semele. Semele lies dying amidst flames, a consequence of her desire to see Jupiter in his divine form. Jupiter, identifiable by his crown, rescues the infant Bacchus. Look closely at the narrative: it is not just a tale of divine birth, but also a commentary on mortality, desire, and consequence. The engraving invites contemplation on the power dynamics between gods and mortals, and the often-tragic intersection of the divine and human realms. What do we make of Semele’s desire, her fatal longing to see the unseen? Matham captures a moment of both destruction and salvation, reflecting perhaps the tumultuous social and religious landscape of his time.