Parthen gieten gesmolten goud in het afgehakte hoofd van Crassus 1781

This engraving, made by Reinier Vinkeles, shows molten gold being poured into the severed head of Crassus. The printmaking process, involving meticulous carving into a metal plate, mirroring the alchemical process of refining raw metal into a valuable, sought-after substance such as gold. Vinkeles was a master of line, and the cross-hatching here gives a sense of weight and volume, even shadow. It all adds to the drama of the moment. Consider how the hot metal becomes a brutal indictment of Crassus's greed, punished by the very thing he craved. It's a stark reminder of the relationship between wealth, power, and the darker side of human ambition. The act of pouring gold in this way isn't just about destroying a person, but about making a powerful statement about the corrupting influence of wealth. Ultimately, this print transcends mere historical record. It's a carefully crafted object that invites reflection on the material and moral cost of human desire.