Zeven edelen voor de poort van het Château d'Amboise opgehangen, 1560 1565 - 1573

This print, made around 1560 by Frans Hogenberg, depicts the execution of Protestant conspirators at the Château d’Amboise. The most striking symbol here is the act of hanging itself, a brutal spectacle of power meant to instill fear. The suspended bodies evoke a macabre dance, a visual echo of earlier depictions of martyrdom, though here devoid of religious sanctity. Consider how, in Roman times, crucifixion served a similar purpose, publicly displaying the consequences of defying authority. The power of this image lies in its ability to tap into primal fears and collective memories of punishment. Across cultures and centuries, such displays recur, evolving in form but retaining their psychological impact. This image is not merely a record; it is a potent symbol of power, fear, and the cyclical nature of history.