Claudius Civilis wordt gevangengenomen en zijn broer Paulus onthoofd, 69-70 1768 - 1770

This anonymous print, made sometime in 69-70, visualizes the arrest of Claudius Civilis and the execution of his brother Paulus. The composition is divided into a foreground of dynamic action and a background of static, massed figures. The foreground features the dramatic capture of Civilis and the corpse of Paulus, rendered with stark lines that emphasize the violence of the scene. This area commands attention, contrasting sharply with the densely packed, spear-wielding soldiers in the background. The artist uses a semiotic system of power, positioning the Roman soldiers as a collective, oppressive force against the individualized figures of the rebels. The background’s repetitive lines of spears create a sense of overwhelming order, a visual metaphor for Roman authority. The print unsettles established meanings of heroism, presenting resistance as futile against structural power. The formal qualities of line and composition serve to underscore a broader commentary on power, rebellion, and the brutal imposition of order.