Manius Curius Dentatus weigert geschenken van de Samnieten 1818

Bartolomeo Pinelli made this print depicting Manius Curius Dentatus refusing gifts from the Samnites. It’s an etching, a printmaking technique that allowed for wide distribution of images. Here, Pinelli represents a scene from Roman history, filtered through the lens of early nineteenth-century Italian nationalism. The story goes that the Samnites, hoping to sway the incorruptible Roman consul, offered him lavish gifts. Dentatus, however, famously rejected their bribes, embodying Roman virtue and resilience. Pinelli made this print at a time of political upheaval in Italy. The Papal States, where he lived, were under French occupation, and there was a strong desire for Italian unification and independence. By illustrating Roman virtues, Pinelli was likely offering a model for his contemporaries, urging them to stand firm against foreign influence and remain true to their principles. To understand this image fully, we need to consider its historical context, studying the social and political conditions that shaped its creation. Art historical research provides a more complete understanding of the image, beyond simply admiring its aesthetic qualities.