Steniging van Achan 1728

"Steniging van Achan" (1728) by Gilliam van der Gouwen depicts the biblical story of Achan, who is being stoned to death for stealing from the spoils of Jericho. This etching, now in the Rijksmuseum, shows a dramatic scene with a large crowd of people, some throwing stones, while others look on in horror. The use of dramatic chiaroscuro and detailed figures contributes to the powerful imagery of this scene. The artwork is a compelling example of the use of biblical stories to illustrate moral lessons, a common theme in 18th-century art.