Onthoofding van Egmond en Horne, 1568 1568 - 1599

This engraving, "Onthoofding van Egmond en Horne," made in 1568 by an anonymous artist, captures a pivotal moment of political repression. It depicts the public execution of Count Egmont and Count Horne, two noblemen who had become symbols of resistance against Spanish rule in the Netherlands. The image is striking in its starkness: the raised platform, the kneeling figures, and the surrounding crowd of soldiers create a scene of formal, brutal authority. Consider the complexities of identity and power at play here. Egmont and Horne, as members of the aristocracy, occupied positions of privilege, yet they were ultimately subject to the dictates of imperial power. Their execution was intended to send a clear message about the consequences of dissent. What does it mean to witness such a spectacle? How might this image have shaped the collective memory and identity of the Dutch people as they struggled for independence? This work speaks to the ways in which art can serve as both a record of historical events and a potent symbol of resistance.