Rhynsault verhoord door Sapphira in bijzijn van Karel de Stoute 1791

William Ward created this mezzotint print, titled "Rhynsault verhoord door Sapphira in bijzijn van Karel de Stoute," in the late 18th or early 19th century. Ward lived through a transformative period, witnessing the rise of revolutionary ideas about individual rights. Here, we see a dramatic scene unfolding, with a woman named Sapphira positioned between two men, Rhynsault and Charles the Bold. The composition suggests a moment of moral reckoning, where Sapphira's agency is central to the narrative. What I find particularly striking is how Ward uses the theatrical staging to emphasize the power dynamics. Charles the Bold, seated and adorned in royal attire, embodies authority, while Rhynsault stands in a posture of defiance or defense. Sapphira mediates between these figures, her expression and gesture suggesting a complex emotional landscape. The print reflects the shifting social values of Ward's time, where questions of justice, loyalty, and personal integrity were intensely debated. The artist invites us to consider the ethical implications of power and the moral choices individuals face in moments of conflict.