Martelingen door Perzen 1731

"Martelingen door Perzen" (Tortures by Persians) is an etching created in 1731 by Jan Caspar Philips, a Dutch artist known for his detailed and often gruesome depictions of historical events. The artwork, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, depicts a variety of torture methods used by the Persians, including impalement, flaying, and burying alive. It's a powerful and disturbing image that reflects Philips' fascination with the brutality of the past and his talent for capturing the human condition in its most extreme forms. The etching's stark black and white lines contribute to the sense of immediacy and horror, offering a glimpse into a dark and violent chapter of history.