Wreedheden in een dorp in de winter, 1672 1673 - 1674

This etching, titled *Atrocities in a Village in Winter*, was created in 1672 by an anonymous artist. It reflects the brutal realities of the Franco-Dutch War. The print starkly portrays the violence inflicted upon civilians, rendering a scene of chaos and suffering. What does it mean to witness such depravity, especially when the identity of the artist remains unknown? Perhaps this anonymity speaks to the ubiquity of violence, implicating society at large. The desolation of winter amplifies the sense of despair, mirroring the vulnerability of the displaced. Consider how the print invites reflection on the social and political conditions that enable such violence, and the emotional toll it takes on individuals and communities. It is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for cruelty and the urgent need for empathy and justice.