Saint Ambrose repelling Emperor Theodosius 1652 - 1711

Johann Jakob Thurneysen the Elder created this engraving, "Saint Ambrose repelling Emperor Theodosius," a dramatic scene rendered with striking linearity. The composition is vertically oriented, dividing the space between the architectural rigidity on the left and the chaotic violence on the right, immediately creating a binary opposition. Thurneysen’s use of line is particularly compelling. Fine, precise lines define the figures, giving them a sense of classical form, while frenzied, dense hatching evokes the tumult of the emperor’s entourage and the background fire. The contrast emphasizes the steadfastness of Saint Ambrose against the disorder. This contrast, seen through a structuralist lens, reveals a deeper narrative—the church’s moral authority triumphing over earthly power. Note how the sword lies discarded at the Emperor's feet, a semiotic device suggesting the triumph of spiritual over secular authority. The artwork invites ongoing interpretation, revealing that power and piety are constantly being negotiated.