Verdrijving van de Brabantse theocraten uit Brussel, 1790 1790

This anonymous etching from 1790, titled "Verdrijving van de Brabantse theocraten uit Brussel", presents a scene of expulsion using a precise, linear style typical of the period. The composition is divided into distinct zones. On the left, a densely packed group exits a fortified gate, while the right side opens to a serene landscape with water and trees, creating a stark contrast between confinement and freedom. The artist employs a semiotic system, labeling each figure to satirize and categorize the expelled theocrats. The sharp, clean lines emphasize the clarity of the political statement, while the overall structure suggests a rupture. Here, the formal elements function as symbolic markers. The gate symbolizes restriction and the landscape embodies liberation. The linearity and order convey a sense of control and judgment, reflecting the Enlightenment values of reason and clarity triumphing over perceived obscurantism.