The Consecration of Decius Mus
Original title: The Consecration of Decius Mus
kurzbeschreibung
The monotype print titled "The Consecration of Decius Mus" is by Antoine Sallaert and dates from between 1620 and 1650. It presents an episode from Roman tradition: in a landscape bordered by trees, five figures meet, their movements pointing to the moment of the sacrificial consecration of the commander Decius Mus.
Description
In a forest, five figures gather. Two stand on the left, wrapped in long robes, and appear to be speaking with each other. The central person holds a long staff or implement. On the right, two more figures come together, one of them carrying a firearm. Trees and branches extend into the foreground. The even gray tone and absence of harsh contrasts are typical of monotype. The irregular distribution of the figures creates tension in the pictorial structure.
Context
Antoine Sallaert, a Fleming, worked as a painter and printmaker. The subject derives from the legend of the Roman commander Decius Mus, who sacrificed himself in battle against the Latins. Such historical themes were highly popular in the 17th century as a way to present self-sacrifice as a virtue. The period of creation between 1620 and 1650 falls in a phase when Sallaert was deeply engaged with printmaking.
Impact
Delicate gray values and the precise rendering of the garments give the sheet a calm yet narrative quality. The loose arrangement of the figures creates an inner tension that draws the viewer into the historical event. Because the light is even and strong contrasts are absent, the draughtsmanlike quality stands out clearly.
Technique
In monotype, ink is applied to a plate and then transferred to paper. This produces only a single impression, which has an immediately painterly effect. The graduated gray tones and soft transitions are characteristic of this process.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)