Onthoofding van de graveur Cornelis de Hooghe, 1583 1783 - 1795

Reinier Vinkeles created this print of "The Beheading of the Engraver Cornelis de Hooghe" using etching. The print's most striking aspect is its composition. Vinkeles positions the execution stage centrally, against a backdrop of buildings, creating a theatrical space where justice unfolds. The stark contrast between the dark figures of the crowd and soldiers, and the lighter tones of the buildings behind, heightens the drama. The etching technique allows Vinkeles to articulate the scene with fine lines, detailing the architecture and the textures of clothing, as well as capturing the emotional tension of the moment. The work invites us to consider the power structures inherent in public executions and the engraver's ability to convey such a profound event through the graphic arts. By using precise lines, the artist directs our gaze to the emotional and social dimensions of 16th century justice.