In 't Jaar 1568 c. 1789 - 1810

This ink drawing, made in the Netherlands around 1600 by an anonymous artist, depicts a public execution taking place in 1568. The image allows us to think about the public role of art at a time of religious and political upheaval. The scene portrays the execution of Dutch rebels by the Spanish rulers. The cultural references of the architecture, along with the fashions of the figures, locate us firmly in the 16th Century. Consider how the geography and political events of the time – the Dutch Revolt – might have influenced the artwork. As we interpret this image, we might ask whether it comments on the social structures of its own time. Is it self-consciously conservative, or progressive? Art history teaches us to reflect on the meaning of art as something that is contingent on social and institutional context. In this case, research into the Dutch Revolt and the Spanish rule will help us understand its significance better.