Ein römischer Feldherr auf einem Stuhle sitzend begnadigt Gefangene, hinter ihm eine Viktoria 

Giulio Romano made this drawing of a Roman General pardoning prisoners with pen and brown ink in an earth-toned palette. The composition centers around the general seated on a throne, with supplicants on the left and a figure of Victoria behind. The artwork uses a dynamic arrangement of figures to create a sense of depth and movement. Notice how the lines are fluid and expressive, contributing to the drama of the scene. Romano uses chiaroscuro – the contrast between light and dark – to sculpt the forms, enhancing their three-dimensionality. The composition draws on classical motifs and explores themes of power, mercy, and the theatrics of justice. Look closely at the surface texture of the drawing. The variations in line weight and density not only describe the forms but also communicate the emotional intensity of the moment. The drawing isn't just a representation; it is a construction of symbolic meaning, where each formal element contributes to a complex understanding of justice and authority.