Wreedheden in een dorp aan het water, 1672 1673 - 1675

This anonymous etching, titled "Atrocities in a Riverside Village", was made in 1672. Created during a period known as the "Rampjaar" or disaster year in Dutch history, it shows the brutal reality of war and occupation. The print offers a glimpse into the social and cultural anxieties of the time. Gender and power are on display in the violations of the feminine body, and the artist pointedly contrasts the vulnerability of civilians with the aggression of soldiers. What do we make of the way that historical narratives have often focused on the battlefield, sidelining the suffering of those who are not combatants, especially women? Through stark imagery, the print evokes a sense of horror and outrage. By capturing this violence, the artist prompts reflection on the darker aspects of human conflict. The print serves as a reminder of the human cost of war, challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about the past.