Terechtstelling van burgemeester Cornelis van der Burgh te Leeuwarden, 1789 1799

Reinier Vinkeles created this engraving of the execution of Mayor Cornelis van der Burgh in Leeuwarden in 1789. At its heart, the image is dominated by the stark symbol of public execution. As we see here, beheadings have been a recurring motif throughout history, symbolizing not just death, but also power and justice, often manipulated by those in authority. Think of Holofernes in biblical art, beheaded by Judith, or the many images of Saint John the Baptist's beheading, each carrying complex religious and political undertones. The presence of a crowd—their faces a mix of horror and morbid fascination—reminds us of the primal, collective experience of witnessing death. This motif echoes through time, from ancient Roman gladiatorial combats to modern-day media coverage of tragic events. These spectacles tap into deep, subconscious layers of our psyche, engaging viewers on a profound emotional level, evoking both fear and a strange sense of communal unity. The beheading—a symbol that continues to resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.