Sophonisba receiving the poison from masinissa's messenger 18th century

This 18th-century anonymous drawing, titled "Sophonisba receiving the poison from Masinissa's messenger," depicts the dramatic moment when the Punic queen Sophonisba, forced to marry the Roman general, takes poison sent by her former lover, Masinissa. This drawing, part of the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst's collection, is a powerful example of the use of line and shading to depict the emotion and tragedy of the scene. The artist masterfully captures the tension of the moment, the figures’ expressions of grief and despair, and the dramatic gesture of Sophonisba as she receives the poison. The work showcases the artist's skill in capturing the complexity of human emotion and the compelling narrative of historical events.