Rechtspraak van de wereldlijke macht c. 1565 - 1635

Philips Galle made this engraving, "Rechtspraak van de wereldlijke macht," whose title translates to "The Justice of the Worldly Powers," in the late 16th century in the Netherlands. Galle's work reflects the social and political tensions of his time, particularly the exercise of power. In the image, a king sits in judgement. His position represents the period's hierarchical social structures, where nobility had absolute power over their subjects. Note that, in the foreground, we see a vulnerable figure, a man on his knees. This juxtaposition reveals the period's social inequalities and power dynamics between the rulers and the ruled. This evokes a sense of empathy or perhaps even unease, especially considering the fates of those deemed 'enemies'. This engraving serves as both a depiction of justice and a commentary on the complexities of worldly power. It invites us to reflect on the nature of authority and its impact on those subject to it.