Hannibal zweert eeuwige haat aan de Romeinen 1818

This etching by Bartolomeo Pinelli captures a dramatic moment in ancient history, using the graphic power of ink on paper. Pinelli, working in the early 19th century, has rendered this scene with a tight network of lines, creating a rich tonal range despite the limitations of the monochrome medium. Etching allowed Pinelli to achieve fine detail, crucial for conveying the drama of the scene and the expressions of the figures. The process involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into it, and then bathing the plate in acid, which bites away the exposed metal. The linear quality emphasizes the narrative, drawing the viewer's eye across the composition, and the stark contrast heightens the emotional impact of Hannibal's oath. Pinelli expertly uses the etched line to evoke textures, from the soldiers' armor to the billowing smoke, inviting viewers to imagine the weight and feel of these materials, and relate to the narrative of the artwork.