Treurlied over de dood van prins Maurits, 1625 1625

This anonymous print from 1625, commemorates Prince Maurits of Nassau's death. Immediately, one’s eyes are drawn to the detailed etching and the contrast of dark ink on the off-white paper. Structurally, the image presents two distinct areas: An oval vignette sits above a dense block of text. This division establishes a clear hierarchy, placing the visual representation of mourning above the textual lament. The garland frame around the vignette, adorned with symbols of power and loss, suggests a space of remembrance. Below, the rigid columns of text, closely packed, evoke a sense of collective grief. The composition is formally divided, yet bound by the shared theme of mourning. Within this context, the print destabilizes the traditional heroic image, presenting a moment of vulnerability. This challenges fixed notions of leadership, hinting at a broader cultural shift toward questioning established authority. The artwork’s form and structure convey the complexities of commemorating a leader during a time of evolving social and political values.