Tarquinius Priscus hugget til døde på sin trone 1574

This woodcut, created by Tobias Stimmer, depicts the assassination of Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth king of Rome. The violent act dominates the foreground, but look closer at the crown on the floor—a potent symbol of desecrated authority. The crown, a motif of leadership and divine right, appears across millennia and cultures. From ancient Egyptian headdresses to medieval European coronations, it signifies power. Yet, here, cast aside, it becomes a stark reminder of the impermanence of earthly rule, a memento mori. The image of a fallen leader reminds us of similar depictions in other contexts. The deposition of kings recurs throughout art history. Recall the beheading of Holofernes by Judith or the death of Julius Caesar. These moments, laden with betrayal and violence, speak to our collective anxieties about power, stability, and mortality. The assassination scene is not merely historical; it is a visceral representation of humanity's complex relationship with authority and its ever-present fragility. These symbols resonate, evolving through time, echoing our deepest fears and aspirations.