Geschiedenis treurt om de vermoorde Hendrik IV 1633

Crispijn van de Passe the Younger created this engraving, 'Geschiedenis treurt om de vermoorde Hendrik IV', in Amsterdam in 1633. Its composition juxtaposes stillness with dynamic movement to evoke deep sorrow. At the center, the allegorical figure of History sits draped and mournful, presiding over the slain Henri IV. Van de Passe uses the static figure of History as a structural anchor, contrasting her solemn repose with the surrounding chaos. Framing this central scene are ten small vignettes depicting the turmoil of the French Wars of Religion. These miniature scenes pulse with activity, each a flurry of conflict and emotion, enhancing the impact of History's sorrow. The formal structure of the engraving mirrors the historical narrative. This artwork highlights the interplay between order and disorder, using History’s grief to reflect on France's turbulent past.