Burgemeester Beernt Proys te Utrecht, vermoord, 1425 1791

Reinier Vinkeles created this print depicting the murder of Mayor Beernt Proys in Utrecht in 1425. Vinkeles, living in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, looked back at a much earlier period of upheaval. The print captures a violent intrusion into a private space; we see Proys, seemingly defenseless in his bed, about to be stabbed. The emotional intensity is palpable—the stark contrast between the vulnerability of the victim and the aggression of the armed men creates a disturbing scene. What does it mean to revisit this scene of violence centuries later, during a time of political and social change? Vinkeles, part of the Enlightenment, engaged with themes of justice, power, and morality, reflecting on episodes of historical violence. The print serves not only as a record but also as a commentary on power dynamics. It prompts us to reflect on how such events shape our understanding of justice and governance, then and now.