Artaxerxes Receiving the Head of Cyrus

Executed in niello, a method involving inlaying black metallic alloy into engraved silver or copper, the print achieves dramatic tonal contrast through precise incisions. The figures are rendered with classical drapery and armor, their forms sharply outlined against a flat background. The style reflects Renaissance interest in antiquity, blending detailed anatomy with stylized spatial depth typical of early printmaking traditions.

Peregrino da Cesena, an Italian engraver active in the early 16th century, produced this work likely for a scholarly or aristocratic audience familiar with classical narratives. The print survives in limited numbers, with known examples held in European collections. Its survival suggests it was valued as both artistic and historical artifact, circulating among collectors interested in ancient history and graphic arts.

During the Renaissance, classical stories were frequently reinterpreted through print media to appeal to humanist tastes. Niello prints like this one served as visual references to ancient texts, often commissioned to illustrate historical or mythological episodes. The choice of this particular scene reflects contemporary fascination with themes of power, betrayal, and legitimacy in political succession.

Though Peregrino da Cesena is not widely known today, this print exemplifies the role of small-scale graphic art in transmitting classical narratives during the Renaissance. Its technical precision and narrative clarity influenced later engravers working in historical subjects. The work remains a rare surviving example of niello’s use in print form, illustrating the transition from metalwork to paper-based dissemination of imagery.