Verhaal met voorstellingen van moord en doodstraf (F. 78.) 1667

This print, made by Abraham Dircksz. Santvoort, sometime in the 17th century, depicts scenes of murder and punishment, filled with loaded symbols of morality and consequence. Notice the recurring motif of the executioner's sword, wielded with grim purpose across several panels. The sword is a potent symbol of justice and authority, but also of raw, visceral power. In ancient times, the sword was a symbol of heroism and chivalry, of honor and strength. But here, it has been stripped of its heroic connotations, reduced to an instrument of death. The appearance of the sword reminds us of similar scenes across centuries of art, from classical depictions of Roman justice to medieval images of beheadings, each echoing the same potent mix of fear, authority, and morbid fascination. The cycle of violence and retribution plays out across the panels, revealing humanity's complex relationship with violence and its symbolic representation. These scenes are stark reminders of the darker aspects of human nature, inviting us to confront our own fascination with violence and justice.