Lucius Junius Brutus laat zijn zonen onthoofden 1574

This print, Lucius Junius Brutus laat zijn zonen onthoofden, was created by an anonymous artist, and depicts the execution of Brutus' sons. The scene is framed by the letters SPQR, an abbreviation of the Latin phrase Senātus Populusque Rōmānus ("The Roman Senate and People"), which refers to the government of the ancient Roman Republic. Brutus was the founder of the Roman Republic in 509 BC. His sons conspired to restore the monarchy and were sentenced to death for treason. The execution of his sons by Brutus was meant to be a warning to others who would betray the Republic. The image is a visual shorthand for patriotic self-sacrifice and also for the necessary brutality of state power. Art historians look to understand the politics of imagery through books, articles and other research resources, to better understand the context of this, and other, artworks.