Edelmoedig gedrag van Caecilius Metellus 1797

This 1797 etching by Ludwig Gottlieb Portman, titled "Edelmoedig gedrag van Caecilius Metellus," depicts a scene from Roman history. The print showcases a group of Roman soldiers gathered around a broken pillar, likely a monument of some kind. The central figure is a Roman general, Caecilius Metellus, who is shown in the midst of a courageous act, perhaps saving the pillar from destruction. The scene is set in a bustling Roman city square, with a stone wall in the background, where a crowd of onlookers watches the action unfold. The artwork is a fine example of neoclassical etching, focusing on Roman history and classical ideals. The work is now housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.