Overwinning van Scipio op koning Syphax c. 1530 - 1560

This is ‘Overwinning van Scipio op koning Syphax’ by Meester van de Dobbelsteen. This print throws us into an ancient clash. It depicts the victory of Scipio over King Syphax, a moment pulled from the narratives of Roman expansion and power dynamics. What do you think about when you see such historical representations? It's difficult to ignore how gender, race, and class intersect within its imagery. Consider the narratives that are being presented, and whose voices are not heard. How do such depictions of conflict and triumph influence our perceptions of identity, power, and history? There is violence on the ground, but also something triumphalist and self-congratulatory in its composition. The artwork shapes our understanding of historical events and invites us to reflect on the human dimensions of triumph and defeat.