Belisarius as An Old Man, with a Stick, Leans Against a Colu 

This print by Salvator Rosa depicts Belisarius as an old man with a stick leaning against a column. It speaks to questions of justice, power, and the fickle nature of fame. Made in Italy in the mid-17th century, the image draws on the story of Belisarius, a successful general of the Byzantine Empire, who was said to have been unjustly accused of treason by Emperor Justinian and reduced to poverty, even blinded. Rosa's choice of this subject reflects a broader cultural interest in themes of virtue, corruption, and the abuse of power. The broken column, the fallen hero, and the expressions of pity on the faces of onlookers all work together to create a scene of pathos and moral commentary. To fully understand this artwork, we can turn to historical sources, literary accounts, and biographical information about the artist, as well as studies of patronage and collecting during this period. The meaning of art is contingent on this social and institutional context.