Civilis en Cerialis onderhandelen op de afgebroken brug 1840 - 1884

This 19th-century engraving by Johann Wilhelm Kaiser depicts a scene from Roman history. The artwork titled “Civilis en Cerialis onderhandelen op de afgebroken brug,” which translates to “Civilis and Cerialis Negotiate on the Broken Bridge,” shows the two figures, Roman military commander Quintus Petillius Cerialis and Batavian leader Gaius Julius Civilis, standing on opposite sides of a broken bridge. The work illustrates a key moment during the Roman-Batavian war, highlighting the tension and negotiation between the two leaders. This historical scene is portrayed in a dramatic manner with the two men in formal attire, their faces stoic and resolute, their postures suggesting a standoff. The artwork, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a striking example of historical art and offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in Roman history.