Executie van Bathasar Gerards, 1584 1613 - 1615

This anonymous engraving, created between 1613-1615, depicts the execution of Balthasar Gérard, the assassin of William of Orange, in Delft, Netherlands. The detailed scene shows Gérard on a platform, being led by a group of men as the executioner readies his blade. The engraving is a powerful visual record of a momentous event, capturing the tension and drama of the moment. The image, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, highlights the popularity of printed illustrations in the 17th century. It is a valuable historical document, offering insights into the societal response to political assassinations.