Cornelius Musius opgehangen te Leiden, 1572 1790

This etching by Reinier Vinkeles, dating from 1790, depicts the execution of Cornelius Musius, a Catholic priest, in Leiden in 1572. The scene shows Musius being led to his death by a group of soldiers, illuminated by a torch in the darkness. The detail and emotion captured in the engraving reflect the turbulent period of religious conflict in the Netherlands during the 16th century. This print, now held in the Rijksmuseum, provides a poignant glimpse into a pivotal moment in Dutch history.