Sheet 1: Soldiers carrying banners depicting Julius Caesar's triumphant military exploits, from "The Triumph of Julius Caesar" 1599

Andrea Andreani created this chiaroscuro woodcut around 1598, depicting soldiers carrying banners that illustrate Julius Caesar’s triumphant military exploits. Notice how the composition is structured by horizontal layers: the soldiers in the foreground, the banners they carry, and a distant sky. Andreani uses line and hatching to create depth and volume, but the limited tonal range flattens the image. This effect emphasizes the graphic quality of the print, drawing our attention to the surface and pattern. The banners, with their detailed depictions of battles and sieges, act as visual signs, encoding stories of military might. The soldiers themselves, rendered with a classical formality, seem to embody the virtues of Roman power. The print functions as a carefully constructed system of representation. Consider how Andreani uses the print medium itself to convey meaning. The stark contrasts and repetitive lines create a sense of monumentality. This reflects the way power is constructed through visual representation. This print isn't just an image; it's an assertion of cultural values.