Het dispuut tussen Romulus en Remus over de locatie van hun stad 1572 - 1573

Giovanni Battista Fontana created this print depicting ‘Het dispuut tussen Romulus en Remus over de locatie van hun stad’ sometime between 1524 and 1587. Fontana lived in an era marked by profound social and political change, including the rise of powerful city-states and burgeoning civic humanism. This piece captures a pivotal moment in Roman mythology: the fraternal dispute between Romulus and Remus over where to establish their city. Each brother stands on opposing hilltops, claiming divine support based on the number of birds they see, foreshadowing the tragic conflict that would lead to Remus's death and Romulus's founding of Rome. Fontana’s depiction not only recounts a foundational myth but also touches on themes of power, legitimacy, and the often-violent construction of identity. In exploring the myth, he invites us to consider the personal and political dimensions of the story. It’s a reminder that even the most foundational myths are fraught with tensions and contradictions.