Lucretia smeekt de landvoogd om de vrijheid van haar man 1700 - 1759

Jan Wandelaar created this print, "Lucretia Begs the Governor for Her Husband's Freedom," using etching, a technique that allows for fine, detailed lines. The composition is stark, divided vertically between text and image. This division immediately sets up a dialogue between the narrative and its representation. Notice how Wandelaar employs a formal and rigid structure in the depiction of the interior space. The receding lines of the architecture draw the eye to the background. This creates depth, but it also traps Lucretia within a confined, hierarchical space. The visual elements here – the governor’s upright stance versus Lucretia’s kneeling posture – underscore a power dynamic. The lines of the etching, though delicate, are used to create a clear distinction between the powerful and the pleading. This is not just a depiction of a historical moment but a structured commentary on power, gender, and social standing, all conveyed through the formal arrangement of lines and space.