Rechtspraak van Karel de Stoute over de gouverneur van Zeeland, ca. 1474 1610 - 1678

This anonymous print, Rechtspraak van Karel de Stoute over de gouverneur van Zeeland, circa 1474, uses engraving to construct a complex narrative of justice and power. Visually, the print is dominated by a central scene of judgment, framed by smaller vignettes and textual annotations, creating a layered reading experience. The composition emphasizes hierarchy through scale and placement: Charles the Bold looms over the scene, while the condemned governor kneels, awaiting execution. The engraver uses line and shadow to distinguish textures and highlight the dramatic tension. The hovering figure of Justice, scales in hand, is more than an allegorical figure, but is intrinsic to a symbolic system of signs to understand the themes of governance and morality. In the context of late medieval visual culture, this print not only illustrates a historical event, but also serves as a discourse on justice, challenging viewers to reflect on the relationships between law, authority, and representation. As such, its true meaning remains a contested and dynamic territory.