Koningin Voadicé roept haar leger bijeen 1728

Bernard Picart created this print, “Koningin Voadicé roept haar leger bijeen”, or “Queen Voadice calls her army together”, using etching. The formal arrangement is designed to convey both power and chaos. Queen Voadice stands elevated, central to the composition, commanding attention with her height and placement. Yet, the scene is teeming with soldiers and animals, an almost dizzying array of spears, dogs, and figures that create a sense of dynamic turmoil. The use of line is particularly striking. Picart employs it to define forms precisely, but also to generate movement through the overlapping and intersecting of figures and weapons. The relatively small scale of the work intensifies the detail, inviting a prolonged study of its intricate construction. This work engages with broader questions of leadership and the visual representation of authority, challenging any singular reading, and opening up multiple interpretations of power.