Regulus Condemned to the Most Horrible Torture 1740 - 1799

Gabriel de Saint-Aubin's etching, "Regulus Condemned to the Most Horrible Torture" presents a scene teeming with figures and architectural detail. Executed with delicate lines, the monochromatic print balances horror with an almost classical order. The scene's structure pivots on the stark verticality of Regulus's torture device, contrasting with the horizontal sweep of the harbor. Saint-Aubin masterfully orchestrates depth, layering the foreground crowd with their emotional turmoil, against the stoic architecture in the background. This composition invites us to dissect the power dynamics at play. Regulus is presented within a framework of rigid lines and confined space. The artist uses this semiotic system of architectural forms and human gestures to explore themes of justice, cruelty, and resistance, reflecting Enlightenment concerns with moral philosophy and the spectacle of power. The print’s enduring power lies in how it destabilizes the viewer, compelling a confrontation with complex moral questions through its stark visual language.