Eponina heeft zichzelf met een dolk gestoken 1738

Jan Punt made this engraving called 'Eponina steekt zichzelf met een dolk' - Eponina stabs herself with a dagger - at an unknown date. It’s now at the Rijksmuseum. This dramatic scene, depicted with meticulous detail, captures a moment of profound social and political significance rooted in classical history. The print illustrates an episode from the story of Sabinus and Eponina, embodying themes of loyalty and resistance against Roman oppression. Created in the Netherlands, this print reflects a growing interest in classical subjects. Artists turned to historical narratives to comment on contemporary issues, such as Dutch resistance against foreign domination. Was it a critique of tyrannical authority? Was it a celebration of heroic sacrifice in the face of political adversity? These are the questions that interest the historian. To fully appreciate this artwork, we can research the history of Roman-Dutch relations and the representation of women in Dutch art. We can then consider how cultural values shaped the visual narrative.