Strijders vechten met reuzenslangen 1605

Antonio Tempesta created this small engraving titled ‘Strijders vechten met reuzenslangen’, or ‘Warriors fighting giant snakes’, in the late 16th or early 17th century. It depicts a group of men battling large snakes amidst a fiery landscape. Tempesta, an Italian artist, was known for his dynamic and often violent scenes which drew from classical mythology and historical events. His work often reflects the tumultuous social and political climate of his time, marked by religious conflicts and power struggles. Here we see themes of conquest and domination over nature. The snakes, symbols of the ‘other’ and the unknown, are attacked by the 'civilized' men. The image raises questions about the boundaries between civilization and savagery, and who gets to tell that story. It invites us to reflect on the narratives we construct about those we perceive as different, and the violence that often accompanies such narratives. The emotional intensity of the scene—the fear, the aggression, the struggle for survival—is palpable. It is a tiny image, but the drama is enormous.