Coriolan wil zijn moeder omarmen 1786

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print, “Coriolan wil zijn moeder omarmen,” with etching. It depicts a Roman general, Coriolanus, meeting his mother and other family members outside the walls of Rome, but let's consider this image in the context of late 18th century Europe. Chodowiecki was German-Polish, living in a politically turbulent time. The print illustrates a pivotal scene from Shakespeare's play Coriolanus, itself based on Plutarch's account of Roman history, a story of civic virtue versus personal loyalty. The composition, with its emphasis on classical dress and stoic restraint, reflects the Neoclassical style then in vogue. But consider the message: Coriolanus, faced with a choice between destroying Rome and heeding his family's pleas, chooses peace, thus prioritizing familial bonds over political ambition. In the context of 18th-century social upheaval, such a message resonated with a desire for stability. To fully understand this print, scholars might delve into the history of printmaking, popular theater, and the social role of art in a period defined by both revolution and reaction.