Kamp mellem romerne og samnitterne 1574

Tobias Stimmer made this drawing of the battle between the Romans and the Samnites with pen and black ink in the 16th century. The image depicts a clash of bodies, weapons, and shields, reflecting Europe's tumultuous Wars of Religion during Stimmer's lifetime. The intensity and chaos of the scene is heightened by the contrast between light and dark, achieved through dense cross-hatching. Stimmer’s choice of subject matter is also interesting. The Samnite Wars were a series of conflicts between the Roman Republic and the Samnites, an Italic people who lived in the central Apennines. The wars, which took place between 343 and 290 BC, were a major turning point in Roman history, as they led to Rome's dominance over the Italian peninsula. Understanding the image requires knowledge of Roman history, but also the history of printmaking and its role in disseminating information and shaping public opinion.