Porcia Catonis Uticensis tochter · Centre for Early Modern Visual Culture

Title: Porcia Catonis Uticensis tochter
Subject: Portia; Brutus; Cassius; Julius Caesar; Conspiracies; Assassination; Important Women; Famous Women
Period: 1500-1550;
Geographic: Ancient Rome; Italy
Description: This engraving depicts three separate events. The far right of the engraving depicts a man named Brutus having a discussion with his wife Portia. Brutus is explaining the conspiracy plan to kill Julius Caesar. After hearing the murderous plan, Portia took a barber’s razor and cut herself with it. The engraving depicts the barber’s razor sticking out of her foot. She does this to prepare herself in case she has to kill herself should the conspiracy not work out in Brutus’ favour. The centre of the engraving depicts the assassination of Julius Caesar. Brutus and a man named Cassius are depicted stabbing Caesar in the chest and in the back. Brutus is eventually murdered after the assassination of Caesar, and as planned, Portia kills herself after hearing of her husband’s death. She is depicted eating burning hot coals from the fire on the left side of the image.
Image Creator: Joerg Breu (Engraver)
Type: Text; Woodcut Engraving
Identifier: mta:18402
Language: ger
Source Name: Ein schöne Cronica oder Hystoribuch von den fürnämlichsten Weybern [A beautiful chronicle or history book of reputable women]
Parent Collection: 1543 Stayner
Image: mta_18402_OBJ.jpg