Moord te Maastricht, 1576 1576 - 1578

Frans Hogenberg’s "Moord te Maastricht, 1576" at the Rijksmuseum is an engraving, a printmaking process involving carving an image into a metal plate, inking it, and pressing it onto paper. The dramatic scene of violence and chaos, rendered in precise detail through the skilled manipulation of lines, speaks volumes about the social and political turmoil of the time. As a print, this image would have been relatively easy to produce and circulate, making it a powerful tool for shaping public opinion. Hogenberg’s choice of this medium is significant; it allowed for the widespread dissemination of this potent message about labor, politics, and consumption in a time of conflict. The very act of creating and distributing this image was a form of labor, and the image itself served as a commentary on the labor of war. Ultimately, by considering the materials, techniques, and social context, we can gain a richer understanding of this artwork and its place in history.