The enlightenment is a historical European intellectual movement which emphasized individualism and original thought rather than traditional, mainly religious beliefs. Art is an example of both individualism and original thought as it allows the artist to express their emotions freely and also promotes original thought in the viewer who interprets the painting for their own enlightenment. One piece of art that can be related to the enlightenment is Jean Boulogne’s bronze sculpture of the Baroque period titled Rape of Proserpina (Rape of the Sabine Woman) was sculpted in 1579 .(Norton Simon Museum). The sculpture is illustrious because it was galvanized by the globally famous Greek mythology of Proserpina (better known as Persephone). The myth features the affectionate daughter of the goddess Demeter. Persephone was kidnapped, raped and forced to marry Hades which led her to eventually becoming …show more content…
It is an act that female philosopher of the enlightenment, Mary Wollstonecraft, resolutely stood against. Women were and still are viewed as inferior to males which is why the victims of rape were and remain most frequently to be female. “I do earnestly wish to see the distinction of sex confounded in society, unless where love animates the behavior.” (Wollstonecraft). The quote establishes Wollstonecraft’s view the objectification of women. Sex should not be thrust upon a person unless it is consensual; out of love. Cognate to Wollstonecraft’s philosophies of gender equality, John Locke was an advocate for natural rights and equality of mankind. “All mankind... being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.” (Locke). Primitively, Locke’s philosophies of individual freedom may have been of appeal; however, Hades’ vulgar act of rape proves Locke’s vision of democratic rule to be insufficient to control a society as rape is an example of a human evil which must be