Portret van Johannes Hus 1712

This 1712 etching by Bernard Picart, titled "Portret van Johannes Hus," depicts the Czech religious reformer in profile, surrounded by a wreath of laurel. Johannes Hus, known for his early criticism of the Catholic Church, was burned at the stake in 1415. Picart's portrait, a powerful image of religious persecution, shows Hus in a contemplative pose, while a scene of his execution unfolds below. The image is a powerful reminder of the struggles for religious freedom that plagued Europe in the 15th century.