Halshugningen af Brutus' søn 1574

Tobias Stimmer made this print of 'The Beheading of Brutus' Son' sometime in the 16th century. It presents a stark image of state power and the price of dissent. Created in Switzerland, it reflects the political complexities of the Reformation era. Brutus, the Roman figure who sacrificed his sons for the Republic, was often seen as a symbol of civic virtue. Yet, in Stimmer’s time, this story resonated with debates about obedience to authority versus individual conscience. The artist creates meaning through the brutal imagery of execution. Consider how the solemn faces of the onlookers contrast with the violence of the act. To understand this piece better, one might look at how stories from classical antiquity were deployed in early modern political thought. In doing so, we can appreciate how art is always embedded in the social and institutional contexts of its time.