Koning Darius I en koning Xerxes 1643

This engraving depicting Kings Darius I and Xerxes, made by an anonymous artist, uses linear precision to construct two dominant figures against contrasting backdrops. Darius, on the left, stands before a ruined structure, holding a sword and scepter, while Xerxes, similarly armed, is set against a burning cityscape. The composition divides the visual field into two distinct zones, each anchored by a royal figure. The meticulous hatching and cross-hatching create tonal variations that suggest texture and depth, emphasizing the weight of their garments and the solidity of their forms. Semiotically, Darius's ruined backdrop speaks of a kingdom challenged, while the fiery background of Xerxes suggests a reign of destruction and conflict. The artist strategically employs scale to assert the power of the figures, rendering them larger than the surrounding elements. Consider how the use of linear perspective, or its absence, affects our reading of power and authority within the broader narrative of kingship and legacy.