Illustratie voor de Decamerone van Boccaccio 1697

This illustration for Boccaccio's Decamerone was created by Romeyn de Hooghe, a Dutch artist active in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. De Hooghe lived during a time of significant social and political upheaval in Europe, and his work often reflects the values and anxieties of his era. The Decamerone itself is a collection of novellas told against the backdrop of the Black Death in Florence, which devastated Europe in the mid-14th century. Here, we see one of its stories visualized. This image portrays a scene of violence and power, with a group of figures seemingly attacking a defenseless individual. It brings up questions of social hierarchy, the abuse of power, and the ways in which marginalized groups are often targeted in times of crisis. The emotional weight of this image is palpable, as we are confronted with the vulnerability and suffering of the victim. It leaves you to consider how historical narratives continue to shape our understanding of identity, justice, and resistance today.