Abimelech door een molensteen gedood Possibly 1705 - 1728

Jan van Vianen created this print, “Abimelech door een molensteen gedood,” sometime between 1660 and 1726. It depicts a story from the Book of Judges. During Vianen’s time, the Dutch Republic was a major center for the production and distribution of printed images, and biblical scenes were particularly popular. Here, we see Abimelech, a figure from the Old Testament, being killed by a woman dropping a millstone on his head from a tower. This image reflects the complex intersections of gender, power, and violence. While the story is rooted in religious text, its interpretation and depiction are shaped by cultural attitudes towards women, leadership, and justice. The print invites us to consider the roles of individuals, especially women, in moments of conflict and resistance. This resonates with the personal and political struggles experienced by individuals in the 17th and 18th centuries, and continues to spark dialogue around the dynamics of oppression.