Scenes from Ancient History, after Polidoro da Caravaggio 1560 - 1608

Andrea Boscoli rendered "Scenes from Ancient History, after Polidoro da Caravaggio" with pen and brown ink, sometime between 1575 and 1608. During the late Renaissance, artists often turned to classical antiquity, not merely to imitate its forms, but to find models for moral and political life. Boscoli’s drawing, in its focus on conflict and drama, reveals the complex power dynamics inherent in historical narratives. The work raises questions about whose stories are told, and who is silenced. The tension in the scenes – visible in the figures’ gestures and expressions – invites us to consider the emotional and physical toll of historical events, particularly on those who are marginalized or oppressed. Boscoli’s choice of medium, with its emphasis on line and form, creates a sense of immediacy, as if we are witnessing these events unfold in real-time. The drawing prompts us to reflect on how we engage with history.