De Romeinse veldheer Drusus en de Germaanse wichelaar 1890

Charles Rochussen created this watercolor titled 'The Roman general Drusus and the Germanic soothsayer.' Reflect on the dynamics of power and knowledge depicted here: a Roman general, representing military might, confronts a Germanic soothsayer, embodying indigenous wisdom. The soothsayer, draped in white, stands at the water's edge, a liminal space between worlds, while the Roman army looms behind Drusus. This encounter speaks to the broader historical context of Roman expansion and its clash with local cultures. The artwork invites us to consider how cultural differences were perceived and portrayed in the 19th century. It prompts questions about the representation of marginalized voices and their interactions with dominant powers. Rochussen seems to touch upon the tensions between the rational, ordered world of the Roman Empire, and the mystical, nature-bound realm of the Germanic tribes. The artwork's emotional core resides in the uncertainty and apprehension surrounding this meeting. It reflects both a personal and collective experience of navigating cultural divides and grappling with the unknown.