Macht van de vrouw before 1579

This engraving, "The Power of Women," made around the late 16th century by Wierix, presents a complex interplay of symbols that speak to the multifaceted role of women. Note the central figure, a woman nursing a child, yet holding a scepter. This juxtaposition embodies the potent image of maternal strength, a visual motif that recurs across epochs, from ancient fertility goddesses to Renaissance depictions of the Virgin Mary. Observe how the imagery of nurturing and authority are combined to emphasize the power of women. In the background, men are depicted in various states of distress: kneeling in supplication, or tending to a fallen soldier. Consider how the serpent, an ancient symbol of wisdom and temptation, lies broken amidst discarded weapons and treasures. This imagery conveys the idea that female cunning can overcome brute force and material wealth. The psychoanalytic implications are clear: these symbols tap into our collective memory, stirring primal emotions of reverence, fear, and desire. It is this emotional and psychological dimension that truly animates the artwork. The artist seems to be asking how our emotions have been inherited from the past, taking on new forms and meanings, and resurfacing in this image.