Gedicht op het zwaard waarmee Johan van Oldenbarnevelt in 1619 zou zijn onthoofd Possibly 1744 - 1748

This is a poem about the sword used to behead Johan van Oldenbarnevelt in 1619, penned by Henrik van Elvervelt in 1744. The sword, rendered above the text, is not merely an object; it embodies justice, power, and death. The sword appears throughout history as a symbol of authority, from ancient Roman gladii to medieval knights' blades. Yet, here, it's a symbol of state-sanctioned violence, a grim reminder of mortality. The executioner's sword evokes collective fears and anxieties about justice and betrayal. This symbol’s emotional resonance taps into a deep well of cultural memory. Consider how the sword has evolved—from a symbol of honor to an instrument of political execution. The power of this image lies in its ability to engage us on a subconscious level, stirring feelings of fear and injustice that echo through time. It’s a stark reminder of how symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across different historical contexts.