Willem Tell schiet de appel van Walters hoofd 1790

This 1790 etching by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki depicts the famous Swiss legend of Wilhelm Tell, who is shown shooting an apple off his son's head. The image is part of a larger series of prints illustrating the history of Swiss freedom. The scene is set in a forest clearing with a group of onlookers watching Tell's daring feat. The inscription below the image reads "Ursprung der Schweizer Freyheit Origine de la Liberté des Suisses" (Origin of Swiss Freedom), further emphasizing the story's connection to Swiss independence. This artwork, now located in the Rijksmuseum, demonstrates the importance of storytelling and historical narratives in the art of the late 18th century.