Terechtstelling van de samenzweerders tegen Maurits, 1623 1623

"Terechtstelling van de samenzweerders tegen Maurits, 1623" is an etching by Nicolaes van Geelkercken, created in 1623 and housed in the Rijksmuseum. The print depicts the execution of conspirators against Maurice, Prince of Orange, in 1623, with a large crowd witnessing the event. The composition is divided into two sections: the top features four smaller scenes illustrating various execution methods, while the bottom depicts the main scene of the executions. Van Geelkercken uses a detailed and realistic style to depict the scene, capturing the solemnity and brutality of the event. This work provides a glimpse into the political and social climate of the Dutch Republic in the early 17th century, highlighting the importance of public executions as a form of justice and spectacle.