Jupiter en Antiope c. 1640 - 1670

This engraving by Pieter van Sompel, likely made in the first half of the 17th century, depicts Jupiter and Antiope. The eye is drawn to the dynamic interplay of light and shadow which models the figures and creates a sense of drama. Van Sompel uses the contrast between the dark, looming presence of Jupiter and the ethereal form of Antiope to explore themes of power and vulnerability. The composition, split between the dense, textured rendering of Jupiter and the smoother, softer depiction of Antiope, suggests a deliberate contrast. Jupiter, with his eagle, occupies the upper left, his form a series of sharp angles and deep shadows, while Antiope reclines in a more open space, bathed in gentle light. This division reflects a visual language of dominance and submission. The varying textures and tonal gradations are not merely descriptive, but function as a semiotic system. Through this, Van Sompel invites us to question conventional interpretations of beauty and force, and to recognize the unstable nature of these categories. The image serves not just as a representation of a mythological narrative, but as an interrogation of the power dynamics inherent in such stories.