Marcus Claudius Marcellus I behaalt overwinning op Hannibal 1818

Bartolomeo Pinelli made this etching of Marcus Claudius Marcellus's victory over Hannibal. It visualizes a triumphant moment in Roman military history. Pinelli was a 19th century Italian artist who specialized in scenes from Roman and Italian history. Here he depicts the Roman army defeating Hannibal, the Carthaginian general, and his forces that include war elephants. The image creates meaning through references to classical antiquity and Roman militarism. The composition centers on the figure of Marcellus in his armor, and on the gruesome death of Hannibal's elephants which emphasizes the triumph over exotic foreign invaders. This piece reflects a rising sense of Italian nationalism in the early 19th century, when artists looked to ancient Rome for a sense of cultural identity. Pinelli probably aimed to create an image that would resonate with contemporary audiences, evoking a glorious past in support of Italian independence and unification. To understand this artwork better, you might want to look into 19th-century Italian history, the Risorgimento, and the artistic trends that glorified the classical past. Considering the social and institutional contexts helps us reflect on the role of art in shaping cultural and national identity.