Graaf Floris IV gedood tijdens een steekspel, 1234 1782

This engraving by Simon Fokke depicts the dramatic moment of Count Floris IV’s death during a jousting tournament in 1234. The scene is replete with symbolic gestures—note the fallen Count, a visual representation of mortality, amidst the spectacle of knightly combat. Such tournaments, ostensibly displays of valor, often veiled darker undercurrents of rivalry and fate. This image evokes, though in a secular context, the imagery of sacrifice seen in religious art, calling to mind images of martydom. Consider, too, the role of the crowd, which reminds me of the chorus in Greek tragedies, or perhaps a symbol of societal order disrupted by a singular, violent act. It has echoed through centuries, reappearing in scenes of public executions, riots, and revolutions. This engraving isn't just an historical record. It is a mirror reflecting our enduring fascination with the drama of power, violence, and collective emotion.