Nachtelijk overval op het legerkamp van Cerialis waarbij zijn schip wordt buitgemaakt, 69-70 1768 - 1770

This print, made by an anonymous artist, depicts a night raid on Cerialis's army camp around 69-70 AD. The composition is dominated by a dynamic interplay of lines and forms, creating a scene of chaotic energy. Notice how the artist uses dense, cross-hatched lines to build up areas of shadow and volume. This technique not only enhances the dramatic tension but also directs our eyes across the unfolding narrative. The foreground figures, locked in combat, are rendered with stark detail, while the background fades into a more generalized depiction of tents and ships. This contrast creates a sense of depth and draws us into the heart of the conflict. The print challenges our understanding of space and perspective by flattening the scene and emphasizing the surface. This flattening effect highlights the two-dimensionality of the medium, reminding us that we are looking at a constructed image rather than a direct representation of reality. It is precisely through these formal qualities that the artwork invites us to question and interpret the historical events it portrays.