Zelfmoord van een koningin 1715

This etching, "Zelfmoord van een koningin" (Suicide of a Queen), created by Dutch artist Bernard Picart in 1715, is a powerful depiction of a queen taking her own life. The scene unfolds within an oval frame, surrounded by ornate, baroque-inspired embellishments. The queen, seated and holding a dagger, is about to plunge it into her chest. Behind her, a stormy sky and a city in the distance suggest the tumultuous events that led to her decision. The etching, now housed at the Rijksmuseum, is a poignant example of Picart's mastery of dramatic composition and intricate detail, characteristic of his work during the Baroque period.