Onthoofding van Nicolas Gosson te Atrecht, 1578 1785 - 1787

Jacobus Buys created this somber scene of the beheading of Nicolas Gosson in Arras in 1578, using pen and brown ink, with brush in gray. It’s a relatively small work, less than 15 cm high, yet it captures a brutal public execution. Look closely, and you can see the artist’s hand in the varying weights of line, creating depth and shadow. The gray wash adds a chilling atmosphere to the event, emphasizing the stark reality of the execution. The artist's technique here is reminiscent of printmaking, as drawings were often made to be reproduced as prints. The use of line and wash allowed for multiple copies to be made, disseminating the image and its message to a wider audience. The act of reproduction speaks to the social context of the time, highlighting the power of images in shaping public opinion.