Gramsalbus verkleedt zich als Maria en ontsnapt uit de gevangenis 1793

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki made this print, "Gramsalbus verkleedt zich als Maria en ontsnapt uit de gevangenis," using etching techniques. The detailed linework constructs a theatrical scene filled with dramatic action. Notice how the composition is structured around a central figure in disguise, with peripheral characters reacting in exaggerated poses. Chodowiecki's use of light and shadow, achieved through dense cross-hatching, adds depth to the confined space, creating a sense of tension and intrigue. The scene is framed by architectural elements that serve to contain the narrative within a defined boundary. The artist destabilizes the conventional representations of religious iconography by placing a figure dressed as the Virgin Mary in a prison setting, challenging viewers to reconsider established notions of authority and identity. The dramatic narrative is heightened by the contrast between the sacred garb and the surrounding chaos. Ultimately, it is in the precise rendering of the etching itself—the delicate yet firm lines—that meaning emerges, questioning cultural norms and inviting continued examination.