Johannes Tetzel wordt nabij Leipzig overvallen en beschuldigd aflatenhandel 1798

Editor: Here we have Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki's 1798 engraving, "Johannes Tetzel wordt nabij Leipzig overvallen en beschuldigd aflatenhandel," held at the Rijksmuseum. It depicts what looks like an ambush – rather chaotic and aggressive. I'm curious about the story behind it, especially with the suggestion of indulgences in the title. What's your take? Curator: Well, if art could talk... this engraving screams "power to the people," or at least a certain type of disgruntled Saxon! We're seeing a depiction of an actual historical event where Johannes Tetzel, the poor soul being accosted, was robbed. The title tells us that these indignant Saxons accused him of trafficking indulgences—selling forgiveness, essentially. It's important to remember the period, just before the Reformation. Editor: So, is the artist taking sides here, do you think? Curator: Absolutely! Chodowiecki, though working much later, uses this moment to tap into the growing unease with the Catholic Church's practices. You see the tension in the lines, the forceful gestures—it’s like a staged drama, isn’t it? Think of this as propaganda served with a side of artistic skill. Editor: Propaganda! That makes the dramatic composition really pop. All those agitated figures closing in… It's fascinating to think about art being used like that. Curator: Exactly. Makes you wonder about the artist’s own beliefs, doesn’t it? How art, even something small like an engraving, can reflect and shape the currents of history. Editor: Definitely. I’ll never look at a historical engraving the same way again! Thanks for making it all so clear.