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Visuelle Aushandlungen des Friedens. Die kreative Aneignung der Antike in Otto van Veens Batavorum cum Romanis Bellum

  • Laura Di Carlo and Daniel R. F. Richter
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Abstract

The Batavorum cum Romanis Bellum by Otto van Veen was published in Antwerp three years after the signing of the treaty that led to the Twelve Years’ Truce (1609-1621) between the northern provinces of the Netherlands and Spain during the Dutch Revolt. The story of the Batavian uprising against the Roman Empire, as it was written by Tacitus and spread through the humanistic networks during the 16th century, provided a literary model for the idea of independence from the Habsburgs. The focus of the etchings, however, is not to illustrate the heroic deeds of the Batavians, but to highlight the peace achieved at the end of the revolt and the return - not mentioned by Tacitus - of the ancient alliance between Romans and Batavians. The aim of the following investigation is to emphasise the creative appropriation of antiquity and its aesthetic reception in the 16th century. Furthermore, this chapter examines the depictions of ancient architecture and analyses other provincial Roman representations of the conflict, as well as visual strategies of portraying peace and victory.

Abstract

The Batavorum cum Romanis Bellum by Otto van Veen was published in Antwerp three years after the signing of the treaty that led to the Twelve Years’ Truce (1609-1621) between the northern provinces of the Netherlands and Spain during the Dutch Revolt. The story of the Batavian uprising against the Roman Empire, as it was written by Tacitus and spread through the humanistic networks during the 16th century, provided a literary model for the idea of independence from the Habsburgs. The focus of the etchings, however, is not to illustrate the heroic deeds of the Batavians, but to highlight the peace achieved at the end of the revolt and the return - not mentioned by Tacitus - of the ancient alliance between Romans and Batavians. The aim of the following investigation is to emphasise the creative appropriation of antiquity and its aesthetic reception in the 16th century. Furthermore, this chapter examines the depictions of ancient architecture and analyses other provincial Roman representations of the conflict, as well as visual strategies of portraying peace and victory.

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