Tiran Phalaris geeft het bevel om Perillus te verbranden in de bronzen stier c. 1575 - 1580

Jan Snellinck's drawing, made with pen and brown ink and brush in gray, captures a scene of dramatic tension and horror. The composition is organized around a central bronze bull, its imposing form dominating the space. Linear strokes define the figures and architecture, while the gray wash adds depth and shadow, heightening the emotional intensity. Snellinck's use of line and shadow evokes a sense of unease, reflecting the cruelty of the scene. The architectural backdrop lends a classical gravitas, underscoring the timelessness of the themes of power, justice, and human suffering. Semiotically, the bull functions as a signifier of both power and brutal punishment, embodying the tyrannical rule of Phalaris. The drawing doesn't merely depict an event; it invites us to contemplate the structural dynamics of power and the moral implications of such acts. By focusing on the interplay of form and content, Snellinck challenges us to engage with the deeper, often unsettling, aspects of human experience.