Cornelis de Witt geeft verschoning aan een verkrachter 1672

This etching was made by Gaspar Bouttats around the late 17th century and is titled: Cornelis de Witt grants pardon to a rapist. During the Dutch Golden Age, the Republic was undergoing intense political upheaval. The de Witt brothers, Cornelis and Johan, were prominent statesmen, and their brutal murder in 1672 marked a turning point in Dutch history. This print reflects the intense political propaganda of that time, with the artist attempting to depict Cornelis de Witt as pardoning a rapist. Through this image, Bouttats uses the visual language of art to shape public opinion and sway political sentiment. The artist's choice to depict such a provocative scene speaks volumes about the role of art as a tool for propaganda and manipulation during times of political instability. The emotional and personal dimensions of such images cannot be denied, as they evoke feelings of anger and outrage and underscore the importance of holding those in power accountable for their actions.