Fabius Maximus before the Senate at Carthage 1763 - 1764

Jean-Honoré Fragonard created this print, Fabius Maximus before the Senate at Carthage, where we see an envoy of Rome standing defiantly before the Carthaginian senate. Note the spears pointing upwards behind the seated figures. This phallic symbol, representing virility, power, and dominance, extends back through antiquity. Consider its appearance in classical depictions of Mars, the god of war, or even in Renaissance military portraits, each time signaling martial strength. It is also possible that the spears, presented as a choice to the Roman envoy, suggest a decision between war and peace. Think of the subconscious pull this imagery might exert, stirring collective memories of conflict and resolution, shaping our understanding of power, and influencing even our dreams of conquest and accord. This symbol's emotional resonance allows it to persist, echoing through epochs and bearing new significance.