Titus Manlius te paard 1586 - 1596

This print of 'Titus Manlius te paard’ was created by an anonymous artist, using etching techniques on paper. Though the artist remains unknown, the choice to depict Titus Manlius, a figure of Roman military and civic virtue, speaks volumes. This imagery was often employed to evoke themes of leadership, duty, and moral fortitude during periods of political and social change. Consider how the print’s fragmented state mirrors the fractured nature of memory and history. What does it mean to represent power through a lens that is literally incomplete? How does the partial view challenge the traditional narratives of heroism and authority usually associated with figures like Titus Manlius? The act of portraying a classical hero, yet obscuring parts of his image, suggests a re-evaluation of established norms. The print invites us to question how we construct and perceive ideals in the present.