Artaxerxes Receiving the Head of Cyrus c. 1490 - 1510

Peregrino da Cesena rendered this ink drawing, 'Artaxerxes Receiving the Head of Cyrus', with meticulous detail. The composition is structured around a stark contrast: a kneeling figure presenting Cyrus's head to Artaxerxes, who is enthroned on a pedestal. The figures are rendered with precise lines and hatching, creating a sense of depth. The light falls unevenly, highlighting the gruesome offering while casting shadows that obscure the background and heighten the drama. The overall effect is one of a stark, classical tableau, reminiscent of ancient friezes but imbued with Renaissance humanism. The visual elements of the drawing—the carefully delineated figures, the play of light and shadow, and the balanced composition—create a powerful narrative. The scene invites us to reflect on themes of power, mortality, and the consequences of ambition, engaging in a visual discourse that transcends time.