De boer beklaagt zich bij graaf Willem III 1613

This engraving by Bartholomeus Willemsz. Dolendo, made in the Netherlands around the turn of the 17th century, captures a pivotal moment of social tension. The image presents a peasant lodging a complaint with Count William III, highlighting the stark power dynamics of the time. The artwork serves as a visual commentary on the social structures of the Dutch Republic, where the landed gentry held considerable sway over the lives of ordinary people. The peasant's posture, the count’s regal appearance, and the presence of armed guards all underscore the rigid hierarchies of the era. We can look to archival documents like court records and estate papers to reconstruct the precise relationships between lords and tenants in this period. Such research reveals the institutional frameworks that shaped everyday life and the struggles for justice within them. The print invites us to reflect on the public role of art in critiquing or reinforcing social norms.