De heren van Schagen en van Asperen doen een poging om Van Oldenbarnevelt te bevrijden, 1618 1797 - 1833

This engraving, created by Philippus Velijn, captures the moment 'The Lords of Schagen and Asperen Attempt to Free van Oldenbarnevelt' in 1618. The stark contrast between light and shadow immediately draws the eye to the figures positioned before a heavy doorway. Notice how Velijn uses line and form to create depth: the converging lines of the archway recede into the distance, framing the men who occupy the foreground. The texture of the stone walls, achieved through fine hatching, contrasts with the smoother surfaces of the noblemen's garments. The composition is structured to convey tension. The man on the right gesturing insistently, creates a dynamic diagonal that cuts through the static verticality of the doorway. The visual semiotics here are clear. The doorway might symbolize a boundary between confinement and freedom, while the pointing figure attempts to bridge this divide. Consider how Velijn's work destabilizes established power structures through its narrative and compositional elements. The act of attempting to free van Oldenbarnevelt can be seen as a challenge to the authority that imprisoned him.