Gedicht op het zwaard waarmee Johan van Oldenbarnevelt in 1619 zou zijn onthoofd Possibly 1744 - 1748

This illustrated poem by Matths van den Broek, created in 1744, commemorates the sword used in the execution of Johan van Oldenbarnevelt. The sword, centered in an ornate frame, becomes a potent symbol. Throughout history, the sword has been a symbol of power, justice, but also of sacrifice. Think of the Roman gladius, symbol of military might, or even the sword of Damocles, a reminder of the precariousness of power. In van den Broek’s image, the sword carries a dark weight. It is a memento mori, an object meant to remind us of death. Consider how the sword, once an instrument of earthly power, is transformed by its association with martyrdom. The emotional charge is palpable; we are drawn into the drama of justice, sacrifice, and remembrance. Thus, the sword is reborn, its symbolism shifting, its emotional power enduring across time.