Onthoofding van achttien edelen, waaronder de twee gebroeders van Batenburg, 1568 1568 - 1599

This 1568 engraving depicts the execution of eighteen noblemen, including the Batenburg brothers. At its heart, the image is dominated by the executioner's platform, a stage for the ritual of beheading. In the Christian context of the 16th century, beheading carried strong symbolic weight, echoing the martyrdom of saints and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The motif of the executioner, the sword, and the severed head echo in earlier and later works, from the beheading of Holofernes by Judith, to the fate of John the Baptist. Think of Caravaggio's painting of this subject. The starkness of the scene engages primal fears and fascinations with death and justice. The crowd, both observing and participating, adds to the psychological tension, highlighting the collective nature of justice and the spectacle of public punishment. Consider how this scene mirrors ancient Roman practices of public executions, or even earlier ritualistic sacrifices. This engraving thus captures a moment of profound historical and psychological resonance. The image transcends its immediate context, speaking to enduring themes of power, justice, and the human fascination with mortality.