Book III.48. Virginius kills his daughter, Virginia, to preserve her honor {Primae Decadis Liber Tertius p. XXVIII verso} 1493

Curator: This striking woodcut, "Book III.48. Virginius kills his daughter, Virginia, to preserve her honor," depicts a tragic scene from Roman history. The artist is, unfortunately, anonymous. Editor: Woah, heavy stuff. The stark black lines give it a real sense of finality. It’s like, BAM, honor killing in graphic novel form! Curator: Indeed. The print illustrates Livy's account of Virginius, a Roman soldier, who kills his daughter Virginia to prevent her from being enslaved by a corrupt official. The composition emphasizes the public nature of this act. Editor: Public performance of tragedy, for sure. You've got the judge up on his throne, the onlookers, the killer... It's all very deliberate. Makes you think about how these stories get told and retold, each time reinforcing the same old values, however twisted. Curator: It speaks to the power dynamics of the time and the constraints placed upon women, doesn't it? This print underscores how artistic choices reflect and perpetuate these norms. Editor: Yeah, seeing it laid out so bare, it hits you how honor can become this brutal cage. Makes you wonder what kind of stories we should be etching in wood now.