Numantia c. 19th century

Curator: This print by Friedrich Böttcher is titled "Numantia," though it's undated, the scene is dominated by violence. The stark black and white etching feels immediate, almost like a news illustration. Editor: There's a distinct classical drama being played out here, particularly in the figures' poses. I immediately read into the Roman tragedy—the eternal struggle for power. Curator: The scene references the siege of Numantia, where the Celtiberian people chose death over surrender to Roman forces. The bodies at the front contrast starkly with the Roman soldiers in the background, their weapons raised. Editor: I am struck by the material process itself—etching allowed for the mass distribution of images. Think about it—reproducing heroic or cautionary tales for public consumption. Curator: It is a powerful visual emblem of resistance, resonating even now. Consider the raised arm of the figure in the background, an invocation to remember these cultural values. Editor: It’s a reminder that even images of supposed virtue are products of their time, shaped by the artist's hand and, of course, the biting acid.