Artwork
The Death of Atilius Regulus
The Death of Atilius Regulus is an ink print by the Baroque artist Salvator Rosa. It dates from 1662 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in image: Io: Bapte Ricciardo Amico Unico / Attilium Regulum in praecipitis Fortunae uertigine tot inter clauos firmioris constantiae centrum / Salvator Rosa Inu pinx. Sculp.
About this work
Overview
The Death of Atilius Regulus is an etching with drypoint on laid paper created by Salvator Rosa around 1662. It is a print that exemplifies Rosa's work as a printmaker, a facet of his artistic practice alongside painting and poetry.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a tumultuous scene with figures in antique attire, conveying a sense of chaos and urgency. The subject is likely drawn from historical or literary sources, given Rosa's penchant for such themes, and may represent a dramatic event such as a public execution or battle.
Technique & Style
Rosa employed sharp lines and shading to achieve a sense of depth and movement in the densely populated scene. The use of etching and drypoint techniques allowed for a detailed and expressive representation of the figures and their emotions, contributing to the overall feeling of turmoil.
Context
As an artist active in Naples, Rome, and Florence, Rosa was influenced by and contributed to the Baroque style, characterized by dramatic and emotionally charged subjects. His work, including prints like The Death of Atilius Regulus, reflects his engagement with historical and literary themes set against dark, untamed natural backdrops or, as here, intense human dramas.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Salvator Rosa (1615 – 15 March 1673) is best known today as an Italian Baroque painter, whose romanticised landscapes and history paintings, often set in dark and untamed nature, exerted considerable influence from the 17th century into…
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