Afscheid van Jean Calas in de gevangenis 1767

This etching by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki, titled "Afscheid van Jean Calas in de gevangenis" (Farewell of Jean Calas in Prison), depicts the tragic final moments of Jean Calas, a Protestant merchant falsely accused of murdering his son. Created in 1767, the artwork portrays Calas in a prison cell, surrounded by his grieving family. Chodowiecki masterfully captures the somber atmosphere and the raw emotion of the scene, highlighting the injustice of Calas's fate. The etching was widely circulated and contributed to the growing public outcry against Calas's wrongful conviction, ultimately leading to his exoneration. This powerful image remains a poignant reminder of the importance of justice and the fragility of human life.