Titelpagina voor: F. Duim, De broedermoort, van Kornelis en Joan de Wit, 1744 1744

Simon Fokke made this title page in 1744, using an engraving technique. Look closely, and you can see how the image is comprised entirely of tiny, deliberate lines incised into a metal plate, which then would have been inked and printed. Consider the skill involved. Fokke needed a steady hand, and deep knowledge of the materials. The density and direction of each line contributes to the overall image, defining light and shadow, and bringing the gruesome scene to life. But there's another kind of labor to consider here too: that of the victims depicted. The De Wit brothers were powerful politicians in the Dutch Republic, and their brutal murder by a mob reflects deep social and political tensions. In this print, Fokke captured a pivotal moment in Dutch history. The contrast between the fine, precise work of the engraver and the violent, chaotic scene it depicts is striking. It reminds us that even the most refined techniques can be used to represent the most disturbing aspects of human experience.