Overleg naar aanleiding van de komst van nieuwe Romeinse troepen, 69-70 1768 - 1770

This undated print, by an anonymous artist, depicts a conference in Reims, France, at the end of the first century. It's an imagined scene, based on the history of the Batavian rebellion against Roman rule. The image creates meaning through visual codes: Roman soldiers appear in togas, as if to lend them a sense of authority in the scene. But they have, in fact, come to negotiate with the Gauls, who wish to form an alliance against the Roman Empire. The image reflects a culture of resistance, and a social structure where different groups had conflicting interests and values. In this case, the Trevirians are debating whether to fight for liberty or demand peace from the Romans. Such decisions had to be made in a time when the threat of invasion and occupation was ever present. Understanding this artwork requires research into the history of Roman Gaul and the Batavian rebellion. Only then can we fully appreciate its message and relevance within its own time. The meaning of this artwork is contingent on its historical, social and institutional context, revealing the complex relationships between power, resistance, and cultural identity.