Marcus Curius Dentatus weist die Geschenke der Samniter zurück c. 1790 - 1795

Januarius Zick’s drawing of “Marcus Curius Dentatus weist die Geschenke der Samniter zurück” was created with pen and brush, using grey ink and white heightening on blue paper. The choice of materials and the monochromatic palette here is important. The rough texture of the paper gives the scene a somber and understated feel. Zick employed traditional drawing techniques, building up form and shadow with delicate layers of ink, a testament to the artist’s skillful hand and eye. But the combination of pen and brush work also speaks to the everyday life of the subject being portrayed; there's a lack of extravagance in the making, mirroring the values of the Roman hero depicted. The use of readily available materials emphasizes a rejection of luxury and wealth. It reflects the spartan lifestyle associated with figures like Marcus Curius Dentatus, underscoring the moral message of rejecting material excess in favor of civic virtue. The drawing transcends its immediate aesthetic qualities, becoming a meditation on the values it represents.