Peter Arbues verurtheilt eine Ketzerfamilie zum Feuertode 1872

Wilhelm von Kaulbach created this monochrome print titled *Peter Arbues verurtheilt eine Ketzerfamilie zum Feuertode*. The composition dramatically stages a scene of religious persecution. Note the division of space. On the left, a crowd surrounds a family being led to execution. In the center a cross stands as a stark symbol. To the right, Peter Arbues, elevated on steps, presides over the grim spectacle. His dark robes and the severe architectural backdrop amplify the somber mood. The texture rendered in the image creates depth, emphasizing the harsh realities of the scene. The artwork uses visual symbolism to destabilize the established norms. Kaulbach’s print functions as both a historical record and a critical commentary on religious authority. The stark contrast and detailed rendering encourage a re-evaluation of power structures and moral codes.