Count William III of Holland Permitting the Beheading of his Baliff, from Thronus Justitiae, tredecim pulcherrimus tabulis..., plate 7 1605 - 1606

Willem van Swanenburg created this engraving, depicting Count William III of Holland, as part of a series on justice. Produced in the Netherlands, around 1600, this image presents an idea of justice rooted in the power of the ruling class, where even a high-ranking official like the bailiff can be summarily executed. The Count, enthroned under a baldachin, presides over the scene with a dispassionate gaze. This imagery reinforces the legitimacy and authority of the ruling class. The engraving subtly comments on the social structures of its time. The Dutch Republic was in the midst of its Golden Age, marked by economic prosperity and a rising merchant class. This print, however, reaffirms the traditional social hierarchy, reminding viewers of the power and severity of the aristocratic rulers. To fully understand this artwork, we might delve into the history of Dutch legal systems, the role of the aristocracy, and the cultural values that shaped the perception of justice. Art history allows us to appreciate the meaning of art as something deeply embedded in its social and institutional context.