Gevangenneming van Egmond en Horne, 1567 1567 - 1570

This print by Frans Hogenberg depicts the 1567 capture of Egmond and Horne. Observe the stark contrast in spatial arrangements, which heightens the psychological tension. The composition, divided into distinct zones, conveys a sense of confinement. Note the handshake—a seemingly innocuous gesture of greeting—transformed here into a symbol of betrayal and loss of freedom. This gesture echoes in earlier Roman imagery, where handshakes sealed alliances, yet here, the alliance is broken. The emotional weight of this once-positive symbol becomes a potent expression of deceit. Consider too the positioning of the guards, their presence heavy and inescapable. This motif of armed figures encircling a central group recurs throughout history, signifying oppression. This image serves as a powerful reminder of how symbols, gestures, and compositions can engage viewers on a subconscious level, stirring collective memories of injustice and confinement. This symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.