Firdelingen af Mettius Fufetius 1574

This woodcut, depicting ‘The Quartering of Mettius Fufetius’, was created by Tobias Stimmer in the late 16th century. The scene is dominated by dynamic lines and stark contrasts, immediately drawing our eyes to the gruesome spectacle at its center. Stimmer uses intricate crosshatching to build depth and texture, giving form to the figures and the architectural backdrop. The composition is structured around the tension between the chaotic action and the rigid geometry of the surrounding structures. Note how the artist employs linear perspective, with the lines converging towards a vanishing point beyond the central figure. The emotional weight of the scene is amplified through the use of negative space, directing our attention to the cruelty being depicted. The highly stylized approach and the exaggeration of the human form suggest a critical engagement with classical ideals of beauty and order. This aesthetic functions as a cultural commentary, unsettling our understanding of justice and power.