Lucius Junius Brutus spreekt het vonnis tegen zijn zonen uit 1793

Ludwig Gottlieb Portman created this print, "Lucius Junius Brutus spreekt het vonnis tegen zijn zonen uit" at the Rijksmuseum. It depicts a pivotal, ethically fraught moment from Roman history. Set against the backdrop of Roman civic architecture, Lucius Junius Brutus, one of the founders of the Roman Republic, is shown passing judgment on his own sons. They had conspired to restore the monarchy, and Brutus, in his commitment to the Republic, sentenced them to death. Portman masterfully captures the emotional weight of this scene. We see Brutus as the embodiment of republican ideals towering over his sons bound for execution. The print invites reflection on the relationship between personal ties and political duty. It's a study of civic virtue, and the sacrifices demanded by political ideals. This image raises timeless questions about justice, loyalty, and the cost of leadership.