De olifanten van Hannibal steken de rivier de Rhône over 1565 - 1630

Antonio Tempesta etched "The Elephants of Hannibal Crossing the Rhône River" around 1600, capturing a moment laden with symbolic weight. Elephants, the dominant motif, were more than just war machines; they were emblems of exotic power and strength, evoking a sense of awe and the 'primitive' might of the Carthaginian army. The image's power lies in its resonance with similar displays of might throughout history. Think of Alexander the Great's use of elephants or their later appearance in Renaissance triumphal processions. These pachyderms are not merely animals, but potent symbols of domination, their image echoing through time and cultures. The river itself is another symbol, marking a barrier, a boundary, but also a challenge to be overcome. The act of crossing becomes a metaphor for ambition, for daring to breach the natural order. This etching, therefore, is not just a historical depiction, but an enduring emblem of power, ambition, and the cyclical nature of history.