Terechtstelling van de wederdopers op het schavot op de Dam, 1535 1662 - 1665

This engraving, dating from 1535, depicts the execution of Anabaptists on Dam Square, by an anonymous artist. The stark black lines against the white create a scene filled with tension. The composition is divided into clear zones, with the elevated scaffold dominating the upper part, sharply separating the execution from the bustle of everyday life below. The use of line is particularly striking, as rigid, dense hatching describes form and shadow. The artist is clearly using these lines to convey the textures of clothing and the architectural details of the buildings, creating a sense of depth and realism. Yet, the scene also contains a powerful symbolic structure. The scaffold, a stark horizontal form, cuts across the space, creating a visual barrier between the condemned and the crowd, highlighting the themes of power and social control. Consider how this constructed division functions, not just as a representation of an event, but as a commentary on social order, authority, and the brutal suppression of dissent. The engraving presents a world where structures of power are visually enforced through line and spatial arrangement.