Plate 16: Roman Captives Before the Old Fortress, from The War of the Romans Against the Batavians (Romanorvm et Batavorvm societas) 1611 - 1612

This print, made by Antonio Tempesta around the turn of the 17th century, depicts a scene from the war between the Romans and the Batavians. It's made using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive action of acid to create lines on a metal plate. Look closely, and you'll see how the etched lines define the forms, creating a sense of depth and drama. The material qualities of the metal plate, combined with Tempesta's skill in manipulating acid, allow for intricate details, from the soldiers' armor to the expressions on their faces. The matrix of thin, wiry marks create visual drama, and guide the viewer's eyes from foreground to background. Prints like these were essentially mass-produced images. This one would have served as propaganda, shaping public opinion about the conflict and its participants. The act of making, therefore, has political significance. It speaks to the distribution of power, and how it is formed and reinforced by the ability to disseminate particular narratives and images.