Discovery of the Head of Summanus 

Here, we see John Leech's 'Discovery of the Head of Summanus,' an engraving in which the stark contrast between the black lines and white space immediately grabs our attention, creating a playful yet unsettling visual experience. The linear structure of the artwork invites us to follow the fisherman’s line, which extends from his fishing rod to the severed head of Summanus suspended above the water. The ripples in the water, the architectural elements in the background and the detailed textures of the vegetation all contribute to a complex composition. Leech masterfully uses line and form to question conventional notions of beauty and the classical. The image, seemingly casual, destabilizes established categories by blending the mundane activity of fishing with the gravitas of classical mythology. The presence of Summanus, the Roman god of nocturnal thunder, being comically 'caught' challenges the traditional reverence for classical subjects, creating an unsettling juxtaposition. Through its formal elements, the work prompts us to reconsider our relationship with history and the ways in which we assign value and meaning.