Gerrit van Wateringen vermoord door graaf Willem V, ca. 1358 1842 - 1844

This print, made by Johann Wilhelm Kaiser around 1858, depicts the murder of Gerrit van Wateringen by Count William V. The composition is immediately striking. The artist uses a central grouping of figures engaged in the act of violence, contrasting sharply with the still, recumbent figure in the foreground. Kaiser employs a range of techniques from chiaroscuro lighting to create dramatic intensity, emphasizing the conflict between the perpetrators and their victim. The formal arrangement draws on a complex set of signs; note how each figure's posture and placement contribute to a larger narrative structure. The image destabilizes the noble image of the Dutch rulers. This challenges established ideals of power and authority. The artist presents an unsettling view of history, prompting us to consider the unstable nature of these values. This challenges the viewer to question fixed narratives and meanings.