Agrippina brengt de as van Germanicus in Rome 1673

Cesare Fantetti’s engraving depicts Agrippina's return to Rome with her husband Germanicus’s ashes. The print is dominated by the somber procession, with the architecture and figures rendered in precise detail. The balanced composition, divided between the earthly and divine realms, evokes a sense of classical order and emotional restraint. Fantetti uses line and form to articulate a narrative about power, loss, and memory. The sharp lines and controlled shading give a sculptural quality to the figures, highlighting their emotional gravity. Figures are framed within a larger architectural structure, and this emphasizes the intertwining of personal sorrow and public spectacle. Agrippina's central placement, framed by mourners and watched over by celestial figures, presents her as a figure of both private grief and imperial authority. The engraving operates as a semiotic system, referencing classical ideals of virtue and leadership, while also addressing the complexities of political succession and the emotional toll of empire. Ultimately, the artwork uses its formal structure to explore the dynamic between personal experience and historical narrative.