Svevus, from the series Peplus, sive Gothorum, Heruolorum... 1650

Pieter Soutman created this print, Svevus, as part of a series portraying the imagined attire of ancient Goths and Heruli. Soutman worked in a period of increasing interest in historical and cultural identities, though his image is more fanciful than factual. Svevus is depicted in elaborate armor with a fur-trimmed cape, holding a sword, embodying a romanticized vision of a warrior. This representation intersects with the cultural norms of 17th-century Europe, where masculinity was often linked to military prowess and nobility. The print reflects the complex relationship between historical imagination and contemporary identity. Soutman's "Svevus" invites us to consider how societies construct their understanding of the past. The emotional impact lies in its ability to evoke a sense of admiration for a bygone era. It serves as a reminder of the selective and imaginative processes through which history is represented and understood.