Twee portretten van Romeinse keizers 1517

These two portraits of Roman emperors, likely made with woodcut in the 16th century, are contextualized by the text surrounding them, which details the lives and reigns of these figures. This was a time of growing interest in classical history and the lessons it could offer to contemporary rulers. But, who gets to write history? How do we contend with the legacies of power and the potential biases of historical narratives? Issues of identity, power, and representation are interwoven in this artwork. The images and text present a specific narrative of Roman leadership. The artist’s choices about how to depict these figures and what aspects of their reigns to emphasize reflect certain values and perspectives. Do these images maintain traditional representations of power, or do they develop alternative narratives? Consider the societal issues this artwork touches upon and its emotional, personal dimensions.