Plate 19: Men from the Fortress Surrender and Pledge Their Lives to Civilis, from The War of the Romans Against the Batavians (Romanorvm et Batavorvm societas) 1611 - 1612

Antonio Tempesta created this print in the late 16th or early 17th century, using etching and engraving. These are both intaglio processes, meaning the image is incised into a metal plate. The artist would have used sharp tools called burins and etching needles to create the lines, then applied ink to the plate, wiping the surface so that ink remained only in the grooves. Finally, the plate and paper would have been run through a press, transferring the image. Look closely, and you can see the characteristic crisp lines and fine details achievable through these techniques. The process lent itself well to the depiction of dramatic scenes like this one. Prints like these were relatively affordable and widely distributed, making them a crucial means of disseminating information and propaganda. This image, part of a series on the Roman-Batavian War, highlights the labor involved in both artistic creation and the depicted military conflict, reflecting the social and political tensions of the time. The print medium allowed Tempesta to reach a broad audience, thus challenging the traditional boundaries of art and its accessibility.