The Stake, plate thirteen from The Large Miseries of War n.d.

"The Stake," a powerful etching by Gerrit Lucasz van Schagen, is one of thirteen plates in the series "The Large Miseries of War," depicting the horrors of conflict. This scene shows a group of soldiers burning a stake in the foreground while a crowd of onlookers watches, a visual representation of the destruction and devastation that war brings. Van Schagen's masterful use of light and shadow adds depth and emotion to the composition, capturing the intensity of the moment and the terror felt by those involved. This artwork serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of war and is a testament to the artist's keen understanding of human suffering.