Het wegslepen en weer ophangen van de lichaamsdelen van Slatius, Coorenwinder en Gerrits, 1623 1623

Claes Jansz. Visscher's 1623 print, depicts the gruesome aftermath of the execution of Slatius, Coorenwinder, and Gerrits. In the early 17th century, the Dutch Republic was entangled in religious and political conflicts, with Oldenbarnevelt's supporters, like these men, executed for treason. Visscher’s print, with its detailed scenes of dragging, re-hanging, and the wheel, isn't just a record of cruelty, but a political tool. The artist meticulously captures each act of desecration as a means to dehumanize the condemned. The act of mutilation in this print is not merely about physical violence; it's about destroying identity, erasing memory, and asserting power over those deemed enemies of the state. The artist invites viewers to witness the spectacle, implicating them in the act of judgment and reinforcing the dominant narrative. The emotional impact is stark: the desecration of human remains serves as a visceral reminder of the consequences of dissent.