Fotoreproductie van een gravure van de executie van Johan van Oldenbarnevelt op 13 mei 1619 1850 - 1900

This anonymous engraving captures the solemn scene of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt's execution on May 13, 1619. Rendered in muted tones, the print uses precise lines to construct a geometrically ordered space. The composition divides the scene into distinct zones: the elevated platform where the execution unfolds, the dense crowd of onlookers, and the architectural backdrop. Each area is rendered with meticulous detail, conveying a sense of depth and scale. The lines create a visual hierarchy, drawing the eye to the focal point of the execution itself. The engraving's stark formality invites reflection on the relationship between power, justice, and public spectacle. The artist's deliberate arrangement of space and figures serves not only to document a historical event, but also to provoke thought on broader political and philosophical issues. Ultimately, the engraving functions as a site of ongoing interpretation, where the interplay of form and content raises enduring questions about the nature of authority and the weight of history.