Marcus Valerius Corvus 1602

Lucas van Haelwech rendered this engraving of Marcus Valerius Corvus in the absence of a specific date. Van Haelwech’s classical subject matter and the graphic style place it within a northern European, humanist artistic context. The print is a paean to masculine ideals. Here, Corvus, a Roman hero, is pictured from behind, a perspective that emphasizes the body, making it available for the viewer’s appreciative gaze. The rear view also paradoxically withholds his identity, pushing the viewer to consider the symbols of power that define him. It is not his face, but his helmet, shield, cape, and sword that convey his status. The hero’s nudity also requires our attention. His bare buttocks are surprisingly vulnerable, even as his stance suggests preparedness for battle. The combination of masculine strength and partial vulnerability suggests a complex understanding of heroism. It’s not just about power, but also about the body’s inescapable exposure.