Death of Regulus c. 17th century

Curator: What strikes me first about this piece is the sheer brutality of it all. The desperation is palpable. Editor: This etching, "Death of Regulus" by Salvator Rosa, offers a brutal depiction of a Roman general’s execution. Rosa, who lived from 1615 to 1673, wasn't just illustrating a history lesson; he was commenting on power. Curator: Exactly. It feels like a nightmare frozen in time, all those piercing lines digging into the paper—and into us. You can almost hear the screams and the pounding hammers. Editor: Rosa was known for these dramatic, even theatrical scenes. Consider how the composition focuses our attention. The Romans are central, their actions driving the narrative. It makes us complicit in their cruelty. Curator: It is a stark reminder that history often obscures the raw, visceral reality of human suffering. Rosa forces us to confront it head-on. Editor: And it challenges us to think about how political power is often maintained through acts of public violence and spectacle, a chilling reminder that echoes through history. Curator: Yes, and it's a testament to how art can make us feel the weight of history, not just read about it. Editor: Absolutely, and Rosa's image endures precisely because it prompts a painful, necessary reflection on power, violence, and their legacies.