Numa Pompilius Giving the Laws to the Romans n.d.

Giovanni Battista Galestruzzi created 'Numa Pompilius Giving the Laws to the Romans' using pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk. The artwork depicts Numa Pompilius, the second king of Rome, bestowing laws upon the Roman people. Painted during the Baroque period, this piece reflects the era's emphasis on dramatic storytelling and idealized forms. However, it is more than just a historical depiction. Galestruzzi also subtly engages with issues of gender and power. Note the prominent female figure crowning another individual with laurels. This acknowledges the symbolic role of women in legitimizing male authority. It prompts us to consider how legal systems are not neutral but shaped by those in power. What stories and perspectives are included, and which are left out? Galestruzzi asks us to think about who benefits from this act and who might be marginalized. This artwork reminds us that lawmaking is a human endeavor deeply intertwined with power, identity, and historical context.