Marcus Curius Dentatus weigert de geschenken van de Samnieten 1794

"Marcus Curius Dentatus weigert de geschenken van de Samnieten" (1794) by Ludwig Gottlieb Portman depicts a scene from Roman history. The engraving, housed in the Rijksmuseum, shows the Roman general Marcus Curius Dentatus refusing gifts from the Samnite envoys, highlighting his integrity and Spartan-like simplicity. Portman’s masterful use of line creates a sense of drama and contrasts the contrasting attitudes of the two groups. This artwork captures a pivotal moment in Roman history and provides insight into the values of the era.