Rechtspraak van Graaf Willem III de Goede over de baljuw van Zuid-Holland c. 1572 - 1583

Anthonie Blocklandt produced this pen drawing, “Rechtspraak van Graaf Willem III de Goede over de baljuw van Zuid-Holland,” sometime between 1550 and 1583. During this time, Blocklandt was navigating the complex religious and political landscape of the Netherlands, and his art often explores themes of justice and morality. This artwork reflects the power dynamics of the 16th century, where class distinctions were sharply defined. The image stages the idea of justice, but it also reveals the spectacle of punishment. The shackled figure on his knees evokes empathy, but also shows the consequences of transgressing social norms. Meanwhile, the executioner is shown as a robust figure, very different from the vulnerable figure awaiting judgement. We are left to wonder about the nature of justice and the role of those who execute it. Blocklandt’s work invites us to reflect on the roles of power, justice, and the individual within a society marked by stark social and political hierarchies.