Tekstblad bij de grote prent van de terechtstelling van de samenzweerders tegen Maurits, 1623 1623

Claes Jansz. Visscher created this text sheet in 1623 as a companion to a larger print depicting the execution of conspirators against Prince Maurits. It offers a glimpse into the fraught political landscape of the Dutch Republic during the early 17th century. In this period, religious and political tensions were tightly interwoven, shaping identities and affiliations. Those accused of plotting against Prince Maurits were often associated with specific religious or political factions. Their trials and executions became public spectacles, reinforcing the power of the ruling elite, and contributing to the construction of a unified national identity. The identities of those implicated in the conspiracy became stigmatized, their names and stories subject to public scrutiny and condemnation. Visscher’s sheet, with its detailed enumeration of accusations, played a crucial role in shaping public perception. While seemingly objective, such accounts were inevitably shaped by the biases and agendas of those in power. It serves as a chilling reminder of how easily narratives can be manipulated.