David van Bourgondië, Bisschop van Utrecht, ontneemt Reinoud II van Brederode de versierselen van de orde van het Gulden Vlies, 1470 1785 - 1787

Jacobus Buys created this pen and gray ink drawing to depict a scene from 1470. It illustrates David van Bourgondië, the Bishop of Utrecht, stripping Reinoud II van Brederode of the insignia of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Buys, an artist of the Enlightenment, was working in a period of significant political and social upheaval. The drawing illustrates a moment of public shaming and stripping of status, reflecting tensions between religious and secular powers. It serves as a visual record of the power dynamics and hierarchical structures of the late medieval period. The act of publicly removing honors was designed to humiliate and strip Reinoud II of his identity and standing. The drawing captures the emotional intensity of this moment, inviting viewers to consider the human cost of political conflict. This small drawing resonates with larger themes of power, identity, and the consequences of political action.