Mucius Scævola before Porsenna 

This pen and ink drawing, "Mucius Scævola before Porsenna," was created by John Leech. Observe the composition—a stark contrast between the calm, seated figure of Porsenna on the left and the cluster of armored soldiers around a burning brazier on the right. Leech uses the dense, hatched lines to build a visual field marked by tension and impending action. The rigid vertical lines of the brazier and the spears create a visual barrier, separating the two sides. Here, the formal elements underscore the narrative of confrontation and stoicism. The artist's choice to render the scene in stark black and white amplifies the drama, turning the scene into a study of power, resolve, and the theatricality of historical representation. The meticulous details in the armor and architectural elements invite us to decode the values and cultural codes embedded in this historical depiction. Leech’s drawing becomes not just a depiction, but a structured argument about courage and defiance.