Burgers van Dordrecht dwingen Cornelis de Witt het Eeuwig Edict in te trekken, 1672 1789

This print by Reinier Vinkeles, made around 1772, depicts an event from a century earlier using the subtle medium of engraving. The image is built from a network of tiny lines, etched into a copper plate, then inked and pressed onto paper. This was a decidedly reproductive medium. Prints like these spread information and political messaging far and wide. Here, we see the sickbed of Cornelis de Witt, a Dutch politician, being strong-armed by the burghers of Dordrecht. The contrast between the vulnerable de Witt and the assertive townsfolk is palpable, achieved through Vinkeles' masterful control of light and shadow. This print, like so many others from the era, reminds us that images have always been tools, used to shape public opinion and record history from a particular point of view. It’s a powerful reminder to look closely at the stories told by the materials and processes of art.