Slag bij de Milvische brug 1535 - 1601

Giovanni Battista Cavalieri made this engraving of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge sometime in the late 16th century. It depicts the pivotal clash of 312 AD between the Roman emperors Constantine and Maxentius. The image creates meaning through its dramatic visual codes, referencing the grandeur and violence of ancient battles. This print was made in Italy, where the Vatican and other institutions used art to promote their political power. During this time the visual arts played a key role in shaping and justifying the status quo. Religious and secular authorities often supported artists who could create works that reinforced their messages. This print exemplifies the era's use of historical events to convey political and moral lessons. Understanding this artwork fully requires considering the social and institutional contexts in which it was made, as well as how viewers at the time might have interpreted it. The visual language and symbolism of art are contingent on these contexts, which historians seek to uncover through careful research.