Titus Manlius 1586

Hendrick Goltzius created this engraving, “Titus Manlius,” capturing a figure from Roman history through a Northern Renaissance lens. Goltzius, working in the Netherlands during a time of significant cultural and political change, infuses this image with a hyper-masculine form that speaks to ideals of strength and virtue. The figure of Manlius, with his exaggerated musculature and heroic nudity, strides forward, embodying power. However, this idealized form also hints at the performative nature of masculinity, reflecting the societal pressures and expectations placed upon men in the 16th century. The inscription at the bottom offers insight: “Manlius… did not suffer it, and as a victor brings back the spoils from the foe." This reinforces the image of Manlius as a figure of moral rectitude, valor and conquest, deeply embedded in the cultural and gendered politics of the time. As you consider this image, reflect on how it both upholds and perhaps questions the narratives of power and identity that continue to shape our world.