Verhoor en marteling van Cornelis de Witt, 1672 1787 - 1788

Jacobus Buys created this image titled "Verhoor en marteling van Cornelis de Witt, 1672" using pen and gray ink, brush and gray wash. The drawing depicts the torture of Cornelis de Witt, a Dutch politician, during a politically charged time in Dutch history known as the Rampjaar, or Disaster Year, when the Republic was at war with multiple nations. De Witt, a member of the powerful De Witt family, was falsely accused of plotting against the Prince of Orange. Here, we see De Witt being interrogated and tortured, a brutal scene designed to extract a confession. The emotional intensity is palpable, the figures rendered with stark realism. It's important to consider the power dynamics at play, the abuse of authority, and the vulnerability of the individual. Buys created this piece long after the event itself, and it stands as a stark commentary on the fragility of justice and the dangers of political persecution. How does the image make you feel about the exercise of power?