Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae: The Victory of Scipio

Art Historical Context

### Speculum Romanae Magnificent: The Victory of Sc This dynamic 16th-century engraving the triumphant Victory of Scipio Africanus, the Roman general famed for defeating Hannibal at Zama in 202 BCE, ending the Second Punic War. Part of Antonio Lafreri's renowned *Speculum Romanaeificentiae*—a lavish anthology of prints celebrating ancient Rome's grandeur—this image evokes the epic clashes of antiquity through vivid scenes of soldiers, horses charging into battle, fortified walls, and gleaming weapons. Lafreri, a pioneering publisher, compiled these works to fuel the Renaissance fascination with classical heritage, allowing collectors to "own" Rome's glory. Attributed to a design by Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino), the High Renaissance master known for his harmonious compositions and ideal figures, and engraved by the skilled Master of the Die, this second-state impression showcases the precision of copperplate engraving. The technique's fine lines convey motion and drama, from rearing steeds to clashing armies, making complex historical narratives accessible. Measuring a modest plate size of 8 9/16 x 10 inches, it exemplifies how prints democratized art, bridging ancient valor with 16th-century humanism. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1941), this piece highlights engraving's role in preserving and popularizing Roman lore, inspiring generations to marvel at Scipio's legacy amid the era's rediscovery of the past.

About the Artist

Master of the Die|Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio or Santi)|Antonio Lafreri · 1525–1560

**Master of the Die** (fl. 1525–1560) was an anonymous Italian engraver and printmaker active primarily in Rome during the mid-16th century. Named for the distinctive small die he used to sign his prints—a tiny emblematic mark that became his moniker—this elusive artist remains unidentified despite scholarly proposals linking him to figures like Benedetto Verino, Giovanni Francesco Zabello, Tommas...