Marcus Valerius Corvus 1602

Lucas van Haelwech’s etching *Marcus Valerius Corvus* (1602) depicts the Roman general from behind, facing a battlefield, his right hand on his hip and his left holding a shield. The hero, clad in armor, is poised with a sword strapped to his side, a powerful symbol of courage and Roman military might. Van Haelwech’s detailed etching skillfully captures the classical hero's musculature and armor, while the turbulent background emphasizes the chaos of battle. This artwork is an example of a 17th-century print portraying historical figures in an heroic light.