Masinissa laat de gifbeker aan Sophonisbe brengen 1677 - 1755

This drawing by Dutch artist Elias van Nijmegen depicts a scene from the Roman Republic period. It portrays the Numidian King Masinissa offering a poisoned chalice to Sophonisbe, the wife of his rival Syphax. The scene is set in an elaborately decorated interior, with figures clad in Roman and Numidian attire. The use of line and shadow gives the drawing a dramatic and emotive quality. The drawing is a testament to Van Nijmegen's skill as a draughtsman and his interest in historical subjects. It also demonstrates his sensitivity to the human drama unfolding before the viewer.