Terechtstelling van Cornelis Gerrits op het Groene Zoodje, 1623 1623

This is a 1623 print, made by an anonymous artist, and printed in Amsterdam by Gerret van Brught. The process is woodcut, a relief printmaking technique. The artist carves away the negative space from a block of wood, leaving the lines of the image raised. These lines are then inked and pressed onto paper. Look closely, and you can see the characteristic marks of the wood grain, which add a tactile quality to the scene. Here we see the execution of Cornelis Gerrits. A dramatic moment, meticulously rendered through skilled labor. The text below the image, set in dense, formal type, amplifies the image's message. Prints like this one played a crucial role in disseminating information and shaping public opinion in the 17th century. Produced in multiples, they were relatively affordable, making them accessible to a broad audience. They offer valuable insights into the social, political, and religious climate of the time. Appreciating the material and the making helps us to understand its cultural significance.