Martelaarschap van de tienduizend (eerste deel) c. 1515 - 1520

Domenico Campagnola created this pen drawing, "Martyrdom of the Ten Thousand, Part One," sometime in the first half of the 16th century. Campagnola's depiction reflects the religious and political tensions of the Renaissance, a period marked by the rise of powerful empires and constant conflict. In this piece, the artist illustrates the legendary execution of Christian soldiers under the Roman Empire, an event laden with themes of religious persecution and unwavering faith. The landscape is filled with the bodies of the slain. The graphic nature of the scene, which is so painstakingly detailed, would likely evoke empathy and fear in its viewers. Yet in its creation, it reinforces a narrative of Christian martyrdom that has historically marginalized other voices and experiences. The work asks us to reflect on how historical narratives are constructed and whose stories are amplified.