Minachting van de kapitein van Veii 1659

Louis de Châtillon made this print, “Minachting van de kapitein van Veii”, sometime in the late 17th or early 18th century. It depicts a scene of civic disrespect in ancient Rome. Look at the ways Châtillon uses classical imagery. The architecture, dress, and subject matter evoke the grandeur of antiquity, but the inscription “Senex imprudens iocularis” suggests a satire of old, unwise leaders, perhaps reflecting contemporary political anxieties about governance and leadership in France. The Rijksmuseum, as a national institution, plays a role in shaping our understanding of Dutch history and its relationship to European culture. To fully appreciate this print, one might explore the history of classical education in France, the political climate of the period, and the role of prints in disseminating political messages. The meaning of art is contingent on such social and institutional contexts.