Gevolgen van de eerbied van de kinderen 1535 - 1620

This red chalk drawing, titled 'Consequences of the Veneration of Children' resides in the Rijksmuseum and was made by an anonymous artist. The drawing's power resides in its dynamic composition and the artist's skillful use of line to create a sense of frenzied movement. The scene is one of chaos, with figures carrying other figures out of a city - a visual representation of urgency. The repetition of forms, particularly the rendering of musculature, creates a rhythm across the picture plane, underscoring the physical exertion involved. The artwork challenges fixed notions of heroism or tragedy by focusing on collective actions and shared plights. The lack of clear focal points destabilizes traditional hierarchies within the image, suggesting a broader social commentary on human struggle and survival. The drawing invites us to reflect on the interplay between individual agency and collective fate.