Battle of Constantine and Maxentius 1666

Curator: Audran's "Battle of Constantine and Maxentius" is a highly detailed engraving that depicts a chaotic scene of war. The print sprawls across nearly six feet of paper. What's your initial take? Editor: Utter pandemonium. My eyes dart around trying to find a narrative thread, but it's just a brutal collision of bodies, horses, and splintered wood. The scale feels epic, almost overwhelming, in its depiction of carnage. Curator: Indeed. The composition is organized around a central bridge collapsing under the weight of the battle, which introduces a dynamic element of instability. The artist's graphic language also evokes the sublime terror of conflict. Editor: It definitely captures the raw, visceral energy of battle. I'm struck by how the artist managed to convey so much movement and emotion using just lines and shading. I almost feel the horses' panic and the soldiers' desperation. Curator: Precisely. And the materiality of the print enhances its historical impact. The linear texture allows a deep focus on the events that mark Constantine’s place in history. Editor: I'll admit, even with its grim subject, this piece draws you in, doesn’t it? The more you look, the more details emerge from the chaos. Curator: Exactly. The print serves as a potent reminder of the cost of power. Editor: Agreed. It’s a meditation on human folly, frozen in ink.