Martelaarschap van de tienduizend (tweede deel) c. 1515 - 1520

Domenico Campagnola made this pen and brown ink drawing, Martelaarschap van de tienduizend, in the first half of the 16th century. The image depicts the martyrdom of ten thousand Christian soldiers, an event rooted in religious legend. Here, Campagnola renders the scene with brutal realism, focusing on the physical suffering of the martyrs. Campagnola was working in Venice, a city-state that stood as a powerful republic, but which was nonetheless deeply devout. The proliferation of images of Christian martyrdom speaks to the culture of the time. These images served not only as devotional aids, but also as stark reminders of the price of faith. They underscore the period's religious intensity, with the visual arts playing a crucial role in shaping and reinforcing religious beliefs and social norms. To fully appreciate this drawing, consider the historical and religious context. The Rijksmuseum's archives, along with theological texts and historical accounts, can provide a deeper understanding of the artwork's place in the cultural landscape of 16th-century Venice.