Marcus Valerius Corvus 1645 - 1706

This engraving depicts Marcus Valerius Corvus, a Roman hero, crafted by an anonymous artist. Note the striking figure of Corvus, seen from behind, helmeted and draped, clutching what appears to be the severed head of a Gaul. This motif of the severed head harkens back to ancient Celtic traditions. The Celts believed the head held the soul and power of an individual. This image is not merely of conquest; it carries echoes of ritualistic power, of absorbing the strength of the vanquished. We can find similar practices represented throughout time, from the biblical story of David and Goliath, where David takes Goliath's head as proof of his victory, to the many depictions of the Greek myth of Perseus holding Medusa's head. Consider, too, the psychological weight of such imagery. The act of severing a head is primal, brutal, and speaks to deep-seated fears of mortality and dominance. It’s a potent symbol that taps into our collective unconscious, engaging viewers on a visceral level. The hero's back faces us, as if he's stepping out of time. This symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.